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Will they reestablish relations with Venezuela? This is proposed by the candidates in Colombia

2022-05-25T17:07:08.670Z


The next president of Colombia could change the landscape for the thousands of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia.


This is what Venezuelan immigrants expect from the next president of Colombia 3:01

(CNN Spanish) --

On May 29, around 39 million voters will return to the polls to elect the next president and vice president of Colombia.

The elected president, who will hold the reins of the country from 2022-2026, could also change the landscape for the thousands of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia

By April 2022, according to the Regional Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela, led jointly by UNHCR and IOM, the number of Venezuelans in Colombia was 1,842,390.

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For more than three years, starting in February 2019, diplomatic relations between Caracas and Bogotá were broken, which is why part of the expectation revolves around whether the appointment of a new president could mean the resumption of bilateral relations. with Venezuela.

The outgoing government of Iván Duque decreed a Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan migrants, in the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crises of today that led almost a million Venezuelans to flee their country, most of them arriving in Colombia.

Candidate Gustavo Petro has openly said that if he wins he will restore relations with Venezuela, including reopening the border with Venezuela.

For his part, Federico Gutiérrez says that there will be no diplomatic relations, but that he will look for a way to reactivate the border commercially.

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    ELECTIONS IN COLOMBIA

This is what the candidates propose about Venezuelans in Colombia:

Gustavo Petro, Historical Pact

The Colombian presidential candidate for the 'Colombia Humana' political party and the Historical Pact Coalition.

(RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: yes

Gustavo Petro is the official candidate of the left who will compete again for the Presidency of Colombia, with Francia Márquez as his vice president.

"Colombia without xenophobia welcomes the migrant population as a subject of rights," reads the leftist candidate's government program.

It is indicated that the migrant population, mainly the Venezuelan population, will be guaranteed their fundamental rights and their integration will be promoted in "equal conditions with the Colombian population", as well as decent conditions for returning to their countries of origin or transit.

"The unity of the peoples of South America, and the reestablishment of the Andean and Caribbean Pact will be our priority," reads Petro's government program, which does not mention specific proposals with Venezuela.

However, he indicates that the autonomy of the peoples will be respected and we will make our borders spaces for dialogue and integration.

"The borders with our neighbors and brothers will be what unites us and not what separates us," reads the program.

"We will restore and strengthen dialogue with our neighbors with a view to favoring regional integration, amicable conflict resolution and the humanitarian, economic, social and violent crisis in some of the border areas," he adds.

Federico Gutierrez, Team for Colombia

Federico Gutiérrez, right-wing presidential candidate.

(JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: no

Federico "Fico" Gutiérrez is the right-wing presidential candidate for the presidential elections, with Rodrigo Lara as his vice president.

Within the Gutierrez government program, it is indicated that the implementation of the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan migrants will be maintained and "we will work to take advantage of the opportunities for our country to welcome the migrant population."

Likewise, the plan stipulates that the "social and comprehensive offer to the Venezuelan migrant population" eligible under the Temporary Protection Statute will be extended.

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The right-wing candidate also proposes socioeconomic inclusion for Venezuelan migrants, as well as for returned Colombians.

Gutiérrez said in a debate in March that "Maduro cannot be recognized as a government, because it is a dictatorship" and that he will not reestablish relations with Venezuela.

He pointed out that decisions must be made on commercial issues at the border, such as vehicular passage.

Rodolfo Hernández, League of Anticorruption Governors

Rodolfo Hernández, former mayor of Bucaramanga

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: yes

Rodolfo Hernández, former mayor of Bucaramanga, is the candidate for the presidency of Colombia for the Anti-Corruption Governors League movement, with Marelén Castillo as its vice president.

"The country has a historical debt with Venezuela," reads the presidential candidate's government program.

In his proposals, Hernández stipulates that many Colombian families managed to prosper when Venezuela had a solid currency and economy, so "Colombia must advance in meeting solidarity objectives" towards Venezuelan migrants.

Among his proposals is the design of a solidary migratory policy "preserving the interests and needs of Colombians", as well as reestablishing diplomatic and consular relations with Venezuela.

And once this happens, "a program will be arranged in which said government finances the sustainability of its population living in Colombia."

Hernández also proposes an international work plan to "assume the humanitarian contingency of the massive migration of Venezuelans" and the construction of a public policy for Colombians who return to the country from Venezuela.

The former Colombian candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, resigned from the presidential race in order not to divide the votes for a centrist candidate, and with the hope that Rodolfo Hernández could reach the second round of the elections.

Betancourt, whose kidnapping and release by the FARC made world news, had been running for president of Colombia with José Luis Esparza as her vice president.

Regarding Venezuela, Betancourt proposed in his government plan to "recover freedom and control of the border" by resuming bilateral relations with Venezuela to guarantee that Colombians have access to all diplomatic services in Venezuela.

He also spoke about the creation of educational and cultural programs in order to resolve the negative perception of migration, as well as guaranteeing compliance with the rights of migrants "which are already regulated" so that migrants "remain in legality and that contribute to the economic growth of the country".

Sergio Fajardo, Hope Center

Sergio Fajardo was the winner of the Centro Esperanza coalition.

(Credit: JUAN PABLO PINO/AFP via Getty Images)

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: yes

Sergio Fajardo has proclaimed himself the standard bearer of the central option in a highly polarized Colombia, with Luis Gilberto Murillo as his vice president.

"Recovering democracy in Venezuela and rebuilding its economy, by all Venezuelans, is a priority for Colombia and for the region, so that they can return to their country and live with dignity," the policy proposals read. exterior of the center candidate.

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Fajardo also highlights the importance of establishing direct communication between Bogotá and Caracas "to mitigate tensions and address binational issues," such as the presence of illegal armed groups, organized crime, and citizen security.

"It is no less important to keep open, with the proper biosafety measures, the formal border crossings that allow the regularization and legalization of the transit of people, goods and services between the two countries," reads the candidate's proposals.

In addition, there is talk of the reopening of the Colombian consulates in Venezuela to assist the more than 3 million Colombians residing in Venezuela.

John Milton Rodríguez, Colombia Fair Free

Credit: John Milton Rodriguez

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: yes, with conditions

John Milton Rodríguez is a senator of the republic and the candidate for the presidency of the Colombia Justa Libres party, with Sandra de las Lajas Torres as his vice president.

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In his government plan, the candidate indicates that his border policy will be focused on protecting the territories of La Guajira, César, Norte de Santander, Boyacá, Arauca, Vichada and Guainía, which border Venezuela.

"In these territories there is interdependence in economic and social matters, so that a policy of absolute rupture of relations between the two states exacerbates the instability suffered by Colombians in these territories," the document reads.

Rodríguez proposes establishing border commissions and communication channels to advocate for Colombians in border territories.

However, he does not make any specific proposals for Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the country.

He said that he seeks to make a humanitarian agreement with the Government of Venezuela for commercial issues on the border, but that a reestablishment of relations depends on Nicolás Maduro guaranteeing respect for the sovereignty and security of Colombia.

Enrique Gómez Martínez, National Salvation

Credit: Enrique Gomez Martinez

Restoration of relations with Venezuela: yes

Enrique Gómez Martínez is the legal representative of the National Salvation Movement, and Carlos Cuartas Quiceno is its vice president.

Martínez's government plan stipulates the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Venezuela "without renouncing the demand for democratic transparency, control of border crime and emphasizing the coordination and assumption of responsibilities by Venezuela in the refugee crisis."

He also proposes the consular protection of Colombians residing in Venezuela.

However, Martínez does not make any specific proposal for Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the country.

CNN's Osmary Hernández contributed to this report.

MEET THE MAIN CANDIDATES:

  • Gustavo Petro

  • Federico "Fico" Gutierrez

  • Rodolfo Hernandez

  • Sergio Fajardo

Elections ColombiaInstaNoticias

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2022-05-25

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