UN chief speaks to Maduro about 'rights violations' in Venezuela

UN chief expresses concern to Maduro over human rights violations in Venezuela post-election, urging peaceful resolution through dialogue.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern Friday (September 20, 2024) to President Nicolas Maduro about alleged human rights violations in Venezuela, in their first telephone conversation since the disputed July 28 Presidential election.

The men discussed the precarious political situation in the South American nation, and Mr. Guterres "expressed concern over reports of post-elections violence and allegations of human rights violations," the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a daily briefing.

Mr. Guterres "stressed the need to resolve any political dispute peacefully, through genuine and inclusive dialogue," the spokesman said, adding the secretary-general "took note" of Mr. Maduro's position on the situation.

The Venezuelan leader, for his part, said the two spoke for 15 minutes and that he explained "the struggle we are waging against fascism" and the "devil," words he routinely uses to describe the Opposition movement seeking to oust him from power.

Within hours of polls closing on election day, the regime-aligned CNE electoral council declared Mr. Maduro the victor with 52% of votes cast.

The Opposition immediately cried foul and dozens of countries refused to recognize Mr. Maduro's claim to a third six-year term unless the CNE published a detailed vote breakdown, which it has not.

According to the Opposition, its Presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has since sought asylum in Spain, obtained more than 60% of the vote.