U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed his strong support for Colombia’s efforts to mediate Venezuela’s deep political crisis following the July 28 presidential elections that have criminalized the country’s legitimate opposition leaders, President-elect Edmundo González and María Corina Machado. In a recent telephone conversation with Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, Blinken underscored the urgency of a unified regional response to pressure Nicolás Maduro to ensure that Venezuela “returns to a democratic path.”
The call between the two officials, which took place on August 12, focused on the aftermath of Venezuela’s presidential election, in which González led a majority landslide victory, with more than 7.3 million votes (68%) based on 83.5% of the total tally, compared to Maduro’s 3.3 million (30%).
Maduro, who has ruled the South American nation since 2013, was declared the winner by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE)—a Chavista-controlled entity that, more than two weeks after the election, has yet to provide any evidence to back up Maduro’s alleged victory. Just days after the election, Blinken took to social media, stating: “Electoral data overwhelmingly demonstrate the will of the Venezuelan people: democratic opposition candidate Edmundo González won the most votes in Sunday’s election. Venezuelans have voted, and their votes must count”.
In their discussion, Blinken and Murillo stressed the critical importance of transparency in the electoral process, urging Venezuelan authorities to release detailed results from polling stations across the country. They argued that this move is essential to restoring public confidence in Venezuela’s democratic institutions and preventing further escalation of the political crisis.
“The United States remains deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela,” Blinken said in a statement following the call. “We urge the Venezuelan government to respect the will of its people and to uphold their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.”
The conversation between Blinken and Murillo also touched on the broader regional implications of Venezuela’s political turmoil. Both officials emphasized the need for a coordinated response from countries in the Americas, including members of the Organization of American States (OAS), to exert pressure on the Maduro regime. Blinken stressed the urgency of speaking with “one voice.” However, that one voice may not include Colombian President Gustavo Petro, despite a high-level exchange between Washington and Bogotá.
According to sources close to the Colombian Foreign Ministry, however, the government of President Petro is preparing to propose a “preliminary good faith agreement” that could include a date for a second round of elections—a proposal that will likely be rejected by González and Machado.
Another detail in the proposed agreement, as reported by The Washington Post, would involve a commitment from Maduro to release all political prisoners and cease the persecution of opposition figures. In exchange, the United States and the European Union would consider a partial lifting of the economic sanctions imposed on Venezuela in recent years. The report, which cited anonymous sources, suggested that the proposal is not intended as a direct quid pro quo but rather as an invitation for Maduro to demonstrate his willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations – negotiations that can only have one outcome: exile for Maduro.
Despite the optimistic tone of the Colombian proposal, there are significant doubts about its viability. Critics point to Maduro’s track record of non-compliance with previous agreements and question whether the international community should be offering any concessions to a leader widely accused of human rights abuses and authoritarianism.
In Washington, the Biden administration remains cautious. While Blinken has praised Colombia’s efforts, U.S. officials are wary of repeating past mistakes. In October of last year, Washington eased some sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for a pledge from Maduro to hold free and fair elections, including allowing opposition leader María Corina Machado to participate. However, when Maduro failed to follow through on these commitments, the United States reinstated the sanctions in April.
In addition to his engagement with Colombia, Blinken has been in close contact with António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to discuss the situation. Both leaders have condemned the violence and repression in Venezuela and have called for an inclusive, Venezuelan-led process to restore democratic governance.
The situation in Venezuela has grown increasingly dire in recent weeks. Following the disputed election results, protests erupted across the country, leading to at least 24 deaths and the detention of around 1,300 people, according to reports from human rights organizations.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the role of regional actors like Colombia may not be as crucial in determining the return to democracy in Venezuela. Instead, González and Machado must maintain pressure against the regime on the street. While Blinken’s endorsement of Colombia’s diplomatic efforts underscores the importance of a united international response, Washington’s stance toward the South American nation charts a treacherous course between domestic ambivalence and diplomatic appeasement. “We stand with the Venezuelan people in their struggle for democracy,” Blinken stated. “But it is up to the people of Venezuela, with the support of the international community, to chart their own future.”
To maintain pressure on the street, María Corina Machado has summoned a worldwide protest against Maduro for Saturday, August 17. In the Colombian capital, the protest takes place at Parque Lourdes in Chapinero, starting 11:00 a.m.
