Blinken says he hopes talks between Maduro and the opposition will resume

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, this Monday emphasized the need to resume negotiations between Nicolás Maduro’s government and the opposition. The statements were made during a meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Pedro.

The US official indicated that in his conversations with the Colombian president, they discussed the best way the two governments could contribute to democracy in Venezuela.

Blinken reports

“It is our hope that the Maduro regime and the Unitarian Platform can have a dialogue. This will lead to the necessary conditions to hold free and impartial elections to restore democracy in Venezuela, so that they can regain the support of the international community; And we want a better environment for the Venezuelan people,” he said.

And he continued: “This is necessary so that the Venezuelan people do not feel the need to leave their country; So that Venezuelans who have fled their country can return. It is our hope that dialogue, negotiations can be resumed and that Venezuela can return to a democratic path through free and fair elections.

Security Agreement for Colombian Migrants

At the meeting, Pedro Blingen asked the White House to consider granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Colombians in the United States.

“I think TPS is necessary for Colombians,” Pedro said. There are an estimated 2.6 million Colombians in the United States.