Peru convenes international conference on Venezuela but key parties missing
Representatives from over 100 countries will convene in Lima today for a conference on the political crisis in Venezuela.
Delegates from Venezuela’s government and opposition have not been invited, a move the Peruvian government says is designed to prevent partisanship during the summit.
The meeting, which aims to “restore democracy in Venezuela,” will additionally tackle the issues of inflation and migration.
Numerous states invited to the conference have declined. Russia, China, Turkey and Cuba won’t be represented, saying that President Nicolas Maduro should have been the Venezuelan representative and that the conference was composed of states that wrongfully recognize acting president Juan Guaido. Similar cancellations occurred during the summit of the Organization of American States last week, where Mr Guaido was invited to participate.
Since the US and other Western countries formally recognised Mr Guaido and claim that Mr Maduro’s re-election was fraudulent, they have moved forward with a plan to facilitate the transition of power, possibly through an early election, and to restore the Venezuelan economy following the ousting of Mr Maduro.
Mr Guaido and Mr Maduro are currently in Barbados discussing a constitutional solution to the crisis. The US and other Western countries are making clear that if Maduro doesn’t exit, they will respond with political and possibly economic pressure.
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