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The Lima Group issued a statement in which it confirms its recognition of the Delegate Commission headed by its legitimate Board of Directors, established by the National Assembly (AN), chaired by Juan Guaidó.
Likewise, it expressed its unwillingness to recognize the illegitimate assembly installed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
“This illegitimate National Assembly is the product of the fraudulent elections of December 6th, 2020, organized by Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate regime,” the statement reads.
The Lima Group urged the international community to join in disregarding and rejecting the usurpers of the AN. In addition, it called for joining efforts for the recovery of democracy in Venezuela.
“We reiterate our call to local and international actors, to prioritize the interests of Venezuela and urgently commit to a transition process, defined and promoted by Venezuelans, to find a peaceful and constitutional solution,” reads the statement.
This declaration was signed by the governments of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.
Here is the full statement:
Declaration of the Lima Group
The signatory (*) countries interested in the prompt solution to the multidimensional crisis that affects Venezuela, including the members of the Lima Group and other countries committed to the return of democracy, declare the following:
1. We do not recognize the legitimacy or legality of the National Assembly installed on January 5th, 2021. This illegitimate National Assembly is the product of the fraudulent elections of December 6th, 2020, organized by Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate regime.
2. Within the framework of the Venezuelan people’s right to democracy enshrined in Article 1 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, we note that the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has not lost its validity even if it is no longer observed by Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship.
3. We recognize the existence of the Delegate Commission headed by its legitimate Board of Directors, chaired by Juan Guaidó as established by the National Assembly.
4. We call on the international community to join in disregarding and rejecting this Illegitimate National Assembly and support the efforts for the recovery of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Venezuela. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of seeking convergences with other international actors to channel a common response that contributes to the achievement of these objectives.
5. We reiterate our call to local and international actors, of all ideological tendencies and party affiliations, to privilege the interests of Venezuela and urgently commit to a transition process, defined and promoted by Venezuelans, to find a peaceful and constitutional solution that leads the country to free, fair and credible presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
(*) The signatory countries are: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela.
