The Diplomat
The Spanish government yesterday welcomed the fact that the resumption of the negotiation process in Mexico between the government and the Venezuelan opposition has led to the Second Partial Agreement for the Protection of the Venezuelan People, which will “improve the welfare of thousands of Venezuelans”, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The agreement, reached last Saturday, is aimed at recovering Venezuelan state resources blocked in the international financial system in exchange for a joint plan to improve infrastructures, access to medicines and school development, among other aspects.
In this sense, Spain encourages the negotiators to continue along this path and to include in their talks “fundamental political issues for coexistence”. “Spain is working to strengthen dialogue between Venezuelans and to create the conditions for the negotiations to be successful,” the Foreign Ministry stressed.
This agreement stipulates, for example, cooperation between the government and the opposition on a humanitarian spending plan, such as repairing electricity grids or paying for health care projects using $2.7 billion (approximately the same amount in euros) of funds currently frozen in international accounts due to US sanctions.
Prior to the signing of the text, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said in a Twitter message that “hatred is behind us” in the country. “The times of hatred are behind us, Venezuela today has a Peace that was fought and worked for the enjoyment and healthy recreation of all. Let’s enjoy this Christmas season as a family,” he said.
