Colombia drafts agreement to ensure peaceful transition after Venezuelan elections

The Colombian government has finalized drafting a document seeking to ensure a peaceful aftermath of the Venezuelan elections, emphasizing a commitment to prevent the persecution of the party that loses the July elections, El País reported on Monday.

The initiative was initially announced as a referendum, which would be voted on the same day as the presidential elections. However, it later shifted to seeking a signed agreement by the Maduro government and the opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia.

According to the outlet, it is currently unlikely that the Maduro government will sign such a document, but gears are in motion to gather widespread support. Crafted by Colombian ambassador in Venezuela Milton Rengifo, it also includes definitions about the next elections, and the country's institutions moving forward.

Edmundo González Urrutia has become the leading presidential candidate in polls analyzing the upcoming Venezuela's elections, playing a leading role in what perhaps is the opposition's largest chance to bring an end to the government's decades-long grip on power.

Speaking to local outlet Caracas Chronicles about the potential scenario he envisions should he win, he also put his focus on the transition. He anticipated challenges similar to the ones faced by Guatemala's Bernardo Arévalo de León, but, same as Arévalo, he believes the opposition coalition he represents will prevail and he will be sworn in before the National Assembly in January 2025 after a period of intense negotiations.

He envisions six months of negotiations post-election, hoping the political realities will expedite discussions with the current government.

Addressing how he would handle institutions still under Chavismo's control, González Urrutia emphasizes the role of international observers to ensure a smooth transition of power, with support from the global community to guarantee the legitimacy of the electoral process. Colombia, Brazil and Chile, as well as the U.S., are set to play a key role in this. González Urrutia acknowledged there are ongoing negotiations already.

While González Urrutia is open to dialogue with Maduro in a transitional government, he rejects the idea of power quotas, focusing instead on a collaborative effort for national reconciliation.

"The transition will take place with the backing of massive voting from Venezuelans in our favor. That will be the base of our effort to ensure a peaceful transition with (current) authorities. The backing from the popular will be a clear message to the country and the international community because there will be oversight from many countries who will back the avalanche of votes that could come on July 28," said Urrutia in an interview with Infobae.