Uruguay’s Stance on Venezuelan Elections: Non-Recognition of…

Uruguay’s government under President Yamandú Orsi does not recognize Nicolás Maduro or Edmundo González Urrutia in light of the disputed Venezuelan elections. Foreign Minister Lubetkin reiterated concerns about diplomatic relations and the status of Uruguayans in Venezuela, while noting that other countries share a similar stance on Venezuela’s electoral legitimacy.

Under the presidency of Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front (Frente Amplio – FA), Uruguay has decided not to recognize Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the disputed July 28 elections. In these elections, Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner amidst allegations of electoral fraud. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin affirmed that Uruguay does not recognize either Maduro or González Urrutia, stating, We do not recognize either Maduro or the president who claimed to have triumphed according to the minutes he showed on the Internet.

Lubetkin invoked the historical Oslo peace agreements, questioning why similar agreements concerning Venezuela could not exist. His remarks emphasized Uruguay’s non-recognition of the election results; relations between Uruguay and Venezuela remain at a standstill with embassies nearly closed. He expressed concern for the thousands of Uruguayans residing in Venezuela, stating, What do we do with the thousands of Uruguayans who are in Venezuela? Who protects them?

Despite the non-recognition stance, Lubetkin discussed the diplomatic challenges posed by the situation. He described Venezuela’s circumstances as ambiguous, mentioning a “precise control of the management of the State” without equating that to recognition. He also noted that other countries share Uruguay’s position regarding electoral legitimacy.

When questioned about whether Maduro is a dictator, Lubetkin referenced President Orsi’s acknowledgment of this reality while also pointing out the need to address the practical issues facing Uruguayans in Venezuela. Former Defense Minister and current Senator Javier García criticized Orsi for seeming to legitimize the Bolivarian regime shortly after calling Maduro a dictator during his campaign. This move has drawn criticism from various opposition leaders.

In summary, Uruguay’s new government under President Yamandú Orsi has opted not to recognize either Nicolás Maduro or Edmundo González Urrutia in the context of the disputed Venezuelan elections. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin emphasized concerns regarding diplomatic relations and the welfare of Uruguayans in Venezuela, while also addressing the complexities of the current situation. Overall, Uruguay maintains a critical position on the legitimacy of the Venezuelan electoral process.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com