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VENEZUELA-CONFLICT-MEXICO-DIPLOMACY
Mexico gives ‘protection’ to Venezuelan opposition lawmaker
MEXICO CITY, May 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Mexican government said Tuesday
that its embassy in Venezuela has taken in opposition lawmaker Franco Manuel
Casella to provide him “protection and safety,” even as Mexico City insists
it is not meddling in the Venezuelan crisis.
“In line with its diplomatic tradition, the government of Mexico received
National Assembly deputy Franco Manuel Casella today at its diplomatic
residence in Caracas to provide him protection and safety,” the Mexican
Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The foreign ministry added that Mexico “reiterates its commitment to
respect, protect and promote the human rights of all people, regardless of
their political affinity.”
The Mexican government reiterated the position of non-intervention in the
Venezuelan conflict that the government of leftist President Andres Manuel
Lopez Obrador has maintained since he took office on December 1.
“The government reaffirms its position of non-intervention, its openness to
dialogue and its firm commitment to collaborate in finding a democratic,
peaceful solution through dialogue,” the statement read.
Unlike other large Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and
Colombia, Mexico still recognizes the government of Venezuelan President
Nicolas Maduro and not that of opposition leader and self-declared interim
president Juan Guaido.
Guaido has challenged Maduro’s authority since January, considering his re-
election as illegitimate.
Last week, the Mexican government said it was concerned about the arrest of
Venezuelan National Assembly deputy Edgar Zambrano for his involvement in a
failed military uprising against Maduro last month.
The pro-government Constituent Assembly, a separate body that enjoys
plenipotentiary powers, stripped five opposition lawmakers of their immunity
earlier Tuesday for their participation in the uprising, bringing the total
number to 14 so far.
Three other lawmakers involved in the uprising have taken shelter at
diplomatic offices and another has fled to Colombia.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0937 hrs