https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/america/opositora-machado-ve-posible-que-paises-vecinos-logren-negociacion-efectiva-en-venezuela-EX8202251

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Wednesday that she does not rule out Colombia, Brazil and Mexico being able to establish an “effective” solution for Venezuela through negotiations following the crisis triggered by the questionable re-election of President Nicolás Maduro.

“I do not rule out that this initiative could actually succeed in establishing clear, firm and effective terms for negotiation,” she said in an interview with local media after being asked about mediation by Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

“I also do not rule out the possibility that other countries may join in, in addition to these facilitators,” added Machado, who denounces fraud in the July 28 election and claims to have the records proving the victory of his representative Edmundo González Urrutia.

The governments of leftists Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Gustavo Petro are making diplomatic efforts to find solutions to the crisis unleashed after the elections.

Machado, who was unable to participate in the elections due to a ban against him, said that “unquestionably” the leaders of those countries have a “channel of communication” with the Maduro government that others do not have.

“I think they have taken a prudent position to maintain this dialogue,” he said.

Venezuela’s pro-government National Electoral Council declared Maduro re-elected for a third term with 51 percent of the vote, but has yet to release detailed information about the results or publish the electoral results.

Protests erupted in Caracas and other cities after the vote, leaving 2,200 people arrested, according to the government, and some 24 dead, according to human rights NGOs.

The protests dispersed over the days amid reports of strong repression by law enforcement.

In addition, the prosecution opened a criminal investigation against Machado and González Urrutia for “inciting insurrection” after they asked for support from the Armed Forces.

Machado reiterated that although the repression has been “massive,” the opposition will continue “advancing.”

“Here, no one is retreating and no one is demoralized. On the contrary, we are committed to completing the following stages, to increasing pressure from outside, momentum and to bringing Maduro to the point where he finally recognizes (…) accepting the terms of a negotiation for an orderly transition,” he said.