A group of 24 representatives to the House, all from the Democratic Party, sent a letter this Wednesday to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in which express concern about the upcoming presidential elections in Colombia and they ask him to call on the country’s authorities to guarantee the freedom of the elections and protect the candidates.
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In the letter, the legislators maintain that Colombia is a key partner of the United States and one of the oldest democracies on the continent, but that “unfortunately” the values that both countries share are increasingly threatened.
“Given Colombia’s troubling history of political violence and the crucial role of the upcoming elections in securing the foundations of its democracy, we respectfully request that you convey our concerns to the Colombian government, to maintain a position of impartiality and respect regarding decisions of Colombian voters and to call on the authorities to guarantee free and fair elections without political violence and with solid protections for the safety of its candidates and voters,” they say in the letter.
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call on the authorities to guarantee free and fair elections without political violence
The letter was headed by Jesús “Chuy” García and Pramila Jayapal, but also bears the signature of others such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jim McGovern. Seven of the legislators who appear on the list are of Hispanic origin.
The group, for the most part, is made up of congressmen who represent the most progressive line of the Democratic Party and some, such as McGovern and Ocasio-Cortez, are old acquaintances in Colombia for their defense of Human Rights and opposition to the fumigation of illicit crops.
In the letter, the congressmen express concern about the death threats received by Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquezthe candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of the Historical Pact.
“Although Colombian Interior Minister Daniel Palacios has announced plans to provide additional security to Mr. Petro, we remain vigilant for credible threats against presidential candidates,” they state in the letter.
And they also express doubts about the actions of the Registrar’s Office.
After the legislative elections on March 13, they say, electoral observers and political parties discovered hundreds of thousands of uncounted ballots.
“The Registrar’s Office, in charge of administering the elections, initially responded by suggesting a recount that had no legal basis and was forced to withdraw its proposal. These irregularities set a troubling precedent that may lead to further attempts to hamper the democratic process of voting.” Colombia”.
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To conclude, they maintain that the peace and prosperity of the country “requires not only that the spaces of power be accessible to minorities that have been excluded for a long time, but also that free and fair elections be held, in which the candidates are free to campaign without intimidation, and in which all votes are counted.
In addition to McGovern, Ocasio-Cortez, García and Jayapal, the letter is signed by Nanette Diaz Barragán, Jamaal Bowman, Anthony G. Brown, Cori Bush, Joaquín Castro, Danny K. Davis, Verónica Escobar, Raúl M. Grijalva, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Andy Levin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, Nydia Velázquez, Juan Vargas, Maxine Waters, and Susan Wild.
SERGIO GOMEZ MASERI
Correspondent of THE TIME
Washington
@sergom68
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