Argentina and Italy maintain a strong and deep relationship, based on shared values and a rich legacy of historic and cultural heritage. Cooperation between both countries is constant and constructive, not only at the bilateral level, but also at multilateral fora, where we work together to promote peace, democracy and respect for human rights.
In this spirit, Argentina and Italy express, as they have already done at multilateral forums, their deep concern over the situation in Venezuela and their solidarity with the millions of Venezuelans who continue demanding a safer, more democratic and prosperous future.
The results announced by the Venezuelan Electoral Council (CNE) lack credibility and democratic legitimacy, according to the reports by the UN Panel of Experts and independent international experts, and as evidenced by the data collected by the opposition. Over two months after the presidential election held on 28 July, and in spite of the repeated demands by the international community and the Venezuelan people to guarantee electoral transparency, the authorities are yet to publish complete results that can be verified independently.
Argentina and Italy condemn the continuous repression and human rights violations, call for the release of all individuals that have been arbitrarily detained, and demand respect for the right to fair trial. In addition, both countries deplore the harassment of opposition leaders, including the arrest warrant against Edmundo González Urrutia —the winner of the presidential election according to the compelling data collected by the opposition— who was forced to flee the country.
We reiterate the need for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to immediately return to Caracas and urge Venezuela to respect and honour its commitments to International Law, particularly as a Member State to the Convention on Diplomatic Asylum of 1954, and allow the six asylum seekers currently in the Argentine Residence in Caracas to leave Venezuela.
We call on Venezuelan political leaders to engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue, so as to enable a pacific transition and the restoration of democratic institutions and, thus, respect the will of the people expressed at the presidential election held on 28 July.
Argentina and Italy will continue working together to keep the eyes of the world focused on Venezuela and support the efforts by regional partners to facilitate a peaceful and long-lasting solution to the crisis.
