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Colombian human rights defender and politician Piedad Cordoba congratulated Venezuela on Monday for a peaceful day of elections and called for renewed efforts to defend socialism in Latin America.
Cordoba, who accompanied Venezuelans on election day Sunday as an invited observer, stressed that the election results will not only impact Venezuela, but the entire region. She echoed Bolivian President Evo Morales in calling for reflection on political processes to reinvigorate the left with “hope for unity” in the face of a right-wing resurgence.
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Human Rights activist @piedadcordoba sends congratulations to the Venezuelan people #VenezuelaElections pic.twitter.com/osqFlZpKyH
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)
December 7, 2015
“What is key is respect of the voice of the people,” said Cordoba. “The defence of what socialism means to us continues to be fundamental.”
The Colombian activist also applauded Venezuela’s transparent and democratic electoral process and peaceful day of voting.
ANALYSIS: The Causes and Consequences of Venezuelan Election Results
Cordoba spoke at a press conference in Venezuela alongside members of the Sao Paulo Forum, a network of left-wing political parties and social movements in Latin America and the Caribbean. Others representatives rejected the international media campaign to discredit Maduro’s government and the “increasing suffering due to economic war” and other destabilization attempts.
Representatives also stressed that the alliance will continue working with Venezuela’s socialist movement and other left-wing groups in Latin America to defend socialist politics in the region.
Members of the Sao Paulo Forum offer statements about parliamentary elections #VenezuelaElections @forodesaopaulo pic.twitter.com/Fa78Jctozb
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)
December 7, 2015
The comments echo Maduro’s response to the election results, in which he called on the opposition to cease the “economic war” against the government. He also urged PSUV supporters to learn from the defeat and work to reinvigorate the socialist movement, which he said is only beginning in Venezuela.
The statements come after the Venezuela’s socialist PSUV party lost the majority in the National Assembly as the opposition won 99 of a total of 167 seats. Maduro’s PSUV won 46 seats. The remaining 22 seats, including three indigenous representatives, are yet to be announced.
IN DEPTH: Venezuela’s 2015 Elections
On election day, Cordoba countered international reports of “tension” while voters went to the polls, clarifying that the process was peaceful and respectful. She also rejected calls by former right-wing presidents in the region for polls to be closed before voting was finished.
The elections enjoyed a high turnout of nearly 75 percent.
