The US clarifies that it maintains pressure on Venezuela “so that there is a democratic transition”

Despite the recent visit of the special envoy Richard Grenell to Caracas to meet with Nicolás Maduro, the United States reaffirms his pressure position on the Venezuelan government, which he is still considering illegitimate.

The spokeswoman in Spanish of the State Department, Natalia Molano, emphasized before the Voice of America that this meeting does not represent a change in Washington’s policy towards Venezuela.

“The United States foreign policy is closely linked to this new Trump administration agenda, which prioritizes internal and national security. The visit of the special envoy Richard Grenell was pragmatic: he was with a mission, two tasks, and fulfilled them. This does not change the position of the United States government with respect to Maduro’s illegitimate regime, ”Molano said in a recent interview.

Grenell traveled to Venezuela with the main objective of managing the release of American citizens detained in the country. However, the US administration insists that it remains committed to international pressure against Venezuelan ruling.

“We continue with our very strong support for the Venezuelan people, so that there is a democratic transition in Venezuela and that all political prisoners in that country are immediately released,” added the official.

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has also been emphatic in his rejection of the governments of Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cubato those who qualify as responsible for instability in the region.

The causes of forced migration in the region

In fact, the head of American diplomacy, during his first tour of Latin America, was overwhelmed by pointing out those governments as the main responsible for the migratory exodus in the region.

“It is no accident that millions of people are fleeing from those countries. They do not leave their own will, but because they are trapped in systems that have failed and have plunged their peoples in despair,” Rubio said in his speech in the Dominican Republic .

According to Molano, “these three countries are sources of chaos in the region”, which can lead It is a problem for all of Latin America, “he said.

In that sense, Washington would seek to strengthen alliances in the region to stop the influence of these three countries and ensure that migrants have options to remain in their places of origin.

“We are working with our partners in Central America to strengthen governance, security and economic opportunities. We know that when there is stability and employment, people do not have to flee,” he added to the Voa.

Venezuelan plane seizure

On the other hand, The seizure of a Venezuelan plane In the Dominican Republic he has added tensions between Caracas and Washington. According to Molano, this action responds to the implementation of sanctions against the Maduro government and is not related to conversations about deportations of Venezuelan migrants.

“The objective is to stop the sources of income for these authoritarian and illegitimate leaders who are causing chaos in the region,” he said.

The US continues to promote regional leadership to isolate Chavismo and strengthen measures that press for a democratic change in Venezuela. “The Rubio Secretary is inciting the region’s partners to take more leadership in this issue,” Molano said.

Marco Rubio’s tour of Latin America

In his first tour as US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio visited Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, underlining Trump’s administration’s commitment to the region under the principle of strengthening strategic alliances in security, migration and investment .

In Panama, Rubio pressed the government to limit Chinese influence on the channel, which led to the decision not to renew the country’s participation in the strip and the route. “Panama is recognizing the threat that China represents and seeks to strengthen its alliance with the US,” said Natalia Molano.

In El Salvador, an “unprecedented” agreement was reached in Migration: the country promised to receive deportees, including migrants from third countries. “This demonstrates an interest in working with the US in security issues,” Molano explained.

Costa Rica was highlighted as a stability model in the region, with emphasis on attracting technological investments. Rubio insisted on the need to ensure 5G networks with reliable suppliers.

In Guatemala, the agenda focused on the fight against drug trafficking and traffic of people, with agreements to strengthen border control and biometry. “These programs are already working and could expand,” Molano said.

Finally, in the Dominican Republic, the Haitian crisis and border security were priority issues. The seizure of a Venezuelan plane linked to US sanctions “This is a clear example that we will fulfill our sanctions,” Molano emphasized.

Rubio concluded his tour reaffirming Washington’s interest in the region by considering that “Latin America is key to our security and prosperity.” “The United States is extending its hand. It will depend on the countries of the region if they want to take this opportunity, ”he said.

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