Venezuelan opposition politician criticizes US for outreach to the Venezuelan government

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaido criticized the US on Wednesday for sending a delegation to Caracas to negotiate with Nicolas Maduro's government in 2022.

The delegation was sent after Russia's “special military operation” in Ukraine and a ban on Russian oil imports prompted Washington to seek new sources of energy.

Guaido said it was a mistake to ease sanctions and compared Maduro to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Those of us living under a dictatorship face the threat of torture, persecution and forced disappearance," he said in an open discussion at the Wilson Center, moderated by former US Ambassador Mark. A. Green.

He said the “anti-sanction lobby should stop” because “there has to be sufficient pressure for a dictator to give in.”

“I know it takes time and resources, but a friendly approach will not work.”

Guaido, who is the former president of the National Assembly, is on a four-day tour of the US, following his arrival last week after he claimed he had been kicked out of Colombia.

He entered Colombia on April 25 to attend a summit organized by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Bogota that sought to promote talks between the Venezuelan government and the opposition. Colombia convened representatives from more than 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and the US to attend the meeting.

Colombia said Guaido had not been invited and “only the countries invited to participate in the conversation” would be present.

Hours later, Guaido left the South American country for the US, claiming he had been “expelled.”

“We expected a dignified treatment, we did not expect to be received with a threat,” he said at the Wilson Center, claiming his family was retained for more than an hour when they entered Colombia.

Guaido´s wife and children were reunited with him Monday at Miami International Airport.

Petro denied Guaido’s version and said his country would have been offered asylum had he arrived at an official port of entry and presented a passport.

Petro revived ties with Maduro's government and condemned sanctions on Venezuela by the US and the EU.

Maduro “has exerted a big influence in the neighboring country,” which “used to be friendly with the Venezuelan opposition," according to Guaido.

Guaido has denounced increasing threats against him by the government of Maduro in recent months.

The politician held until the beginning of this year the interim presidency that received support from Washington and more than 50 countries but his popularity is waning as more countries are reengaging with Maduro.