NEW YORK: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has voiced concern to President Nicolas Maduro regarding alleged human rights violations in Venezuela, in their first telephone talks since the disputed July 28 presidential polls.
They also discussed the precarious political situation in the South American country, and the UN chief “expressed deep concern over reports of post-polls violence and accusations of human rights violations,” the U.N. Secretary General spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said.
The UN chief stressed the need to address any political issue peacefully, through genuine and inclusive talks,” the spokesperson added, saying the secretary-general also “took note” of Maduro’s stance on the current situation.
Maduro, for his part, stated that the two spoke for fifteen minutes and that he tried to explain the situation. Within hours of elections closing on polls day, the regime-linked CNE electoral council declared Maduro the win with 52% of votes cast.
The opposition party immediately cried foul, and dozens of nations also refused to recognize Maduro’s claim to a 3rd six-year term unless the CNE published a very detailed vote breakdown.
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The opposition says that its presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia secured over 60% of the vote.
Earlier, Canada, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay — asked the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to probe the “grave violations” of rights in Venezuela.
The clampdown on protest demonstrations that followed the announcement of Maduro’s reelection left more than 27 people including workers dead and more than 192 wounded. Some 2,400 people have been apprehended, according to sources.
