Democracy in Venezuela

The Venezuelan people have reached a defining moment for their democracy. Beginning May 28, more than one million citizens will have the opportunity to reconfirm their signatures on petitions calling for a referendum on the tenure of President Hugo Chavez.

This process will help Venezuelans resolve their differences and build a better, stronger future for their nation.

I urge the Venezuelan government to honor the wishes of its people by supporting a fair and credible process that produces prompt results in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation. I also call on all Venezuelans to reject violence as incompatible with the exercise of democracy.

The presence of Organization of American States and Carter Center observation missions will promote greater transparency and credibility.

The United States supports a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to Venezuela’s political impasse, as called for in Organization of American States Resolution 833 and the May 29, 2003 Agreement between the Government of Venezuela and the democratic opposition. The recent statement of the Friends of the Secretary General of the OAS for Venezuela calls for such a democratic solution. We will continue working with the international community to help the people of Venezuela achieve their democratic aspirations.

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