The Daily Journal.— Opposition leader and former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez said Monday that the initiative promoted by Pacto por Venezuela seeks to restore the conditions necessary to rebuild the country’s institutions, revive the economy and achieve an effective transition to democracy.
“Washington’s role in Venezuela’s transition is indispensable,” he stressed.
Márquez made the remarks during an interview with DNews, where he explained that the plan, which the group presented to the country a couple of weeks ago, “seeks to restore the full exercise of political and civil rights, reestablish constitutional rights and duties and, above all, correct the profound mistakes the government has made, which have fractured Venezuelan society and left the country in a position of weakness and absolute destruction,” he lamented.
Márquez said Venezuela must seize the opportunity that renewed relations with the United States offer to rebuild its economy and restore democracy. At the same time, he emphasized that “Washington’s role is indispensable. Restoring confidence is imperative, not only among international investors but also among Venezuelans themselves.”
Márquez acknowledged that support from the Donald Trump administration is “essential” and urged people to consider how difficult it would be to carry out the transition process without its backing.
Oil agreements will bring greater well-being
On the energy agreement between the United States and Venezuela, the opposition leader estimated it will benefit Venezuelans in the short term.
“We will see it. It will create jobs and better wages. That’s why I support it.”
Regarding the appointment of a new Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) and a new National Electoral Council (CNE), Márquez said these changes will help restore the rule of law and create conditions that will make future elections “meaningful.”
“Rebuilding the country’s institutions before holding an election is a positive step.”
“Because if we wanted to hold an election tomorrow to choose a president or fill any other office, we would not have even the minimum conditions today, given that they have destroyed the CNE. There is no Electoral Registry, nor are there conditions that we all recognize and validate,” he warned.
He also called for the release of all political prisoners and recalled that he spent more than a year behind bars.
“We must demand that this never happen again.”
By Dr. Yahavé Álvarez (Journalist and Historian)
