Venezuela (Washington Insider Magazine)— In a recent statement, Brian Nichols, the Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, weighed in on President Gustavo Petro’s remarks concerning the upcoming elections in Venezuela. Speaking at the conference titled “USA, Spain, and Latin America: Collaborating to Fulfill Our Common Commitment” on Tuesday, April 2, Nichols emphasized the significance of Petro’s position within the region.
Nichols specifically addressed Petro’s comments regarding the alleged exclusion of opposition candidates such as María Corina Machado and Corina Yoris from the electoral process in Venezuela. He acknowledged Petro’s stance as having substantial relevance in the regional context and stressed the importance of considering his perspective.
According to Infobae, during his speech, Nichols underscored the complexities surrounding Venezuela’s electoral landscape and the challenges faced by its citizens in ensuring free and fair elections slated for July 18. He referenced Colombia’s involvement in the matter, particularly in response to the Colombian government’s actions regarding Machado and Yoris.
Petro’s advocacy for the inclusion of opposition candidates garnered attention from Nichols, who emphasized the weight carried by Petro’s words within the region. “His words have a lot of weight in the region, so it is important to listen to what he says,” Nichols remarked during an interview with W Radio.
Reduction in US Aid to Colombia
In addition to discussing Petro’s remarks, Nichols addressed the decision to reduce the aid budget for Colombia in 2025 by 7%. He clarified that despite the decrease in funding, Colombia remains the largest recipient of assistance in the region, reflecting the enduring partnership between the United States and Colombia.
Nichols attributed the budget reduction to broader cuts implemented across various governmental programs. He emphasized the significance of maintaining significant support for Colombia despite these reductions, highlighting the country’s strategic importance as an important ally in the hemisphere.
Regarding the Biden administration’s stance on Venezuela, Nichols touched upon the reconsideration of sanctions and the issue of vetoes against presidential candidates. He indicated that decisions regarding these matters would be evaluated, with General License 44 set to expire on April 18.
Petro’s Critique of Venezuelan Electoral Process
President Gustavo Petro reiterated his criticism of the Venezuelan electoral process during the inauguration of Gloria María Gómez Montoya as the new magistrate of the Council of State. He condemned what he termed an “anti-democratic coup” and denounced the alleged exclusion of opposition figures like María Corina Machado from participating in elections.
Petro cited comparisons between Machado’s disqualification and his own experiences, noting similarities between his predicament and Leopoldo López, who couldn’t join elections to be president of Venezuela in 2012. He emphasized the broader implications of electoral integrity y and preserving the right to choose in a democratic society.