Concerned over Rising Tensions in Venezuela, Secretary-General Calls for Efforts to Reactivate Dialogue, Reduce Polarization

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

We are concerned about the latest developments in Venezuela and urge that all efforts be made to lower tensions and prevent further clashes.

We call on the Government of Venezuela and the opposition to engage sincerely to reactivate dialogue efforts, especially around the critical issues that they had already agreed to place on the agenda, namely the balance of power among branches of the State, the electoral calendar, human rights, truth and justice, and the socioeconomic situation.

We call for concrete gestures from all parties to reduce polarization and create the necessary conditions to address the country’s challenges for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.