Argentina formalizes its withdrawal from the Lima Group

Buenos Aires, March 24 (RHC)-- Argentina formalized its withdrawal from the Lima Group this Wednesday, considering that the actions that this forum has been carrying out at international level, trying to isolate the Venezuelan Government and its representatives, have not led to anything, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

In addition, the Argentinean government considers that it has not been able and cannot accompany a series of positions such as the participation of a sector of the Venezuelan opposition as another member of the Lima Group.

"We reiterate that the best way to help Venezuelans is by facilitating that there be an inclusive dialogue that does not favor any sector in particular, but to achieve elections accepted by the majority with international control", says the text published in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina.

The Argentinean Government affirms that, in order to produce a productive dialogue within Venezuela, the Government must take responsibility.  "A dialogue of which they must be part, but from which it cannot remove the opposition as a whole.  A dialogue that would undoubtedly be enriched with voices coming from the main social actors of the country," continues the communiqué.

In addition, it recognizes that the blockades and destabilization attempts that occurred in 2020 have only aggravated the situation in Venezuela, especially for vulnerable sectors, in the context of COVID-19.

"It is important to note that sanctions have affected the enjoyment of human rights of the Venezuelan population, according to what is found in the report of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights," the document noted.

Finally, Argentina reaffirmed that it will maintain its "commitment to regional stability, and will seek peaceful, democratic and respectful solutions to the sovereignty and internal affairs of each State."

The Lima Group is a multilateral entity established in 2017 in the Peruvian capital by some 15 countries of the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay and Saint Lucia. In addition, who joined organizations from the European Union and the Organization of American States, arguing their interest in seeking a "peaceful" solution to the "crisis in Venezuela".

However, the roadmap followed by the Lima Group has been closer to hard-line strategies, such as the support to the unilateral coercive measures of the United States, the support to the illegal self-proclamation of Juan Guaidó as "president in charge" and the support, express and tacit, of violent actions.