Chile does not consider recognizing Edmundo González as elected president

Chile’s Minister of Justice and Rights, Jaime Gajardo, clarified on Tuesday that, although his government does not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, it does not plan to recognize the opponent Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the presidential presidentials, and assured that His country «is always available» to resume diplomatic relations with Caracas.

In an interview with EFE on the occasion of his visit to Spain in the framework of a European work tour, Gajardo said that denying the legitimacy of the Venezuelan elections and recognizing the opposition leader as president «are two completely different things» and was convinced that its executive does the right thing in international terms.

The minister recalled that the position of the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, who said that the Venezuelan government had resulted in a «dictatorship,» led to the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Maduro ordered the departure of the Chilean diplomacy of Venezuela after Buric criticized the electoral process and did not recognize him as a winner in the presidential ones of July 2024, marked by a controversial count of votes that several countries and political representatives accused of fraudulent, among They the opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia.

«We, by the way, will always be available to resume diplomatic relations, because we believe that this is the way of having the relationship between countries. However, many times regimes prefer to relate in another way, and that is the situation we have today with Venezuela, unfortunately, ”added the minister.

Constitution and elections

Asked about the constitutional reform in Chile, Gajardo admitted that the two failed constituent processes realize that, for now, the path of a total reform of the Constitution «does not seem to be feasible», although he added that, in politics, «the situations the situations They are very dynamic ».

With regard to the «electoral challenge» that Chileans face this year, who will have to choose a new president next November, he said that the government coalition has «excellent candidates» to offer a democratic government that continues with the president’s program Boric

On the possibility that former president Michelle Bachelet (2006-2010 and 2014-2028) again appears to the election, Gajardo said it would be a «privilege for all.»

Contacts with the US

The minister also referred to the situation of immigration in the country, especially the flows from Venezuela and the deportations announced by Donald Trump from the United States.

«Chile’s capabilities as a country to receive more people are already quite exhausted,» explained the head of Chilean justice, who said he was in «permanent contact» with the US administration to continue with his cooperation relationship «without any inconvenience.»

Chile seeks an immigration «orderly, regular and according to the country’s capabilities to welcome people,» Gajardo explained, so they only contemplate the arrival of immigrants who will fulfill professional work in Chile.

Within the framework of his visit to Spain, the head of Chilean justice met Monday with his Spanish counterpart, Félix Bolaños, to share impressions about the common challenges that accompany his portfolio. EFE