Venezuelans who exercised their right to vote, both in the municipal and regional elections of November 21st and in the elections to elect indigenous representation on November 26th and the election of the governor of Barinas on January 9th, did so convinced that political conflict can be resolved according to clear rules of democratic coexistence.
Voters who went to the polls in these elections did so, certainly, convinced that participation in electoral processes, the mobilization of political actors and the advances in electoral institutionality are fundamental steps towards the return to the rule of law and the strengthening of institutions in Venezuela.
This important milestone in the recent political history of Venezuela was largely achieved thanks to the work of the new electoral authorities, which resulted in the design and implementation of a series of technical and institutional advances critical for the promotion of citizen confidence and electoral transparency.
It is necessary to recognize that the serious limitations and violations that characterized some of the key stages of the electoral process point to the need to advance in the strengthening of the independence and autonomy of the Electoral Power. In this sense, it is imperative to advance in the restructuring of the CNE and the reform of the legal framework that regulates the electoral processes, in order to provide the electoral body with the necessary instruments to fully assume the role of arbiter and guarantor of the democratic institutionality.
Venezuelans showed their willingness to support and deepen the electoral path, promoting with their vote the path of understanding and regulated dispute for power, leaving in this process important lessons for the political leadership.
These messages from the citizenry ratify the need to advance in the construction of the path of permanent political dialogue and negotiation, in all the instances in which it is necessary, for the strengthening of democratic institutions.
Within this framework, we at Foro Civico ratify our conviction on the need to advance in the process of political negotiation, which currently has its greatest expression in Mexico, as well as to underpin and strengthen the process of social and political dialogue among all national actors.
Venezuelans are living a decisive historical moment. It is up to us to strengthen the path of political action, revive the democratic conviction and reaffirm the values of coexistence.
Caracas, January 19th, 2022.
Foro Civico is a space for the articulation and collective action of a plurality of actors, including social, humanitarian and human rights organizations, businessmen, unions, trade unions, communities of faith, academia and universities, among others, whose objective is the defense of human rights in its broadest sense
Peace for Venezuela
Peace for Venezuela is a campaign that aims to break down the information bias surrounding the Venezuelan crisis within the international community and promote a stronger and more constructive role for the United Nations.