Antonio Ledezma: “We come to ask for Ecuador’s help”

Ecuadornews:

The context

The situation in Venezuela is critical. Ecuador, after 10 years, recognizes that the South American country is going through a complicated political, economic and social moment that feels it with the impact of migration. Antonio Ledezma, one of the opposing faces in exile, spoke with EXPRESO.

The situation in your country is news almost every day and the question at this point is: what are the options that Venezuela has to get out of this episode?

What corresponds is to activate the principle of humanitarian intervention, which is what I have been invoking, which is nothing else than the obligation of the democratic governments of the world to assist a people that is the victim of a massive and systematic repression as in Venezuela … It seems that the solution does not go through the minds of many rulers. I wonder: what more evidence does the international community want to convince itself that it is time to take a step forward?

Are international organizations, such as the OAS, Mercosur and others, launching statements against the Government of Nicolás Maduro, are they useful?

What corresponds to the international community is to make effective the exit of Maduro from power. Any mediation that any Government wants to offer is to define the terms of the exit of the dictator.

Isn’t there another way out?

No, because Venezuela is kidnapped. The Constitution is not valid, nor the laws. Maduro does what he wants. We do not depend on the rule of law, but on Maduro’s state of mind, as was also the case with Hugo Chávez. Venezuela is also a country invaded by foreign military forces. There are more than 30 thousand Cubans involved in the garrisons, barracks, notaries, in the records that harass Venezuelans. Chávez and Maduro converted Venezuela into a colony of the Castro brothers.

The international community failed Venezuela?

It is taking a turn that is worth assessing. It is no small thing the sanctions issued by Canada, the United States, Switzerland, the European Union and those that are in the door in the Lima group … There is also an important shift in some countries. In the last OAS vote on Venezuela, only three countries accompanied Maduro. We see the case of Ecuador that not only limits itself to abstain (in the vote), but makes some statements through its president invoking the reactivation of democratic principles for a country that is subjugated in a dictatorship.

Ecuador failed Venezuela?

There was a commitment on the part of former President Rafael Correa in that club of friends … I tell the Ecuadorians: take care of your democracy, take care of your institutions, your currency, your monetary system, the freedom of expression that is what we have lost in Venezuela. Today the salary of a woman or a man who works 30 days is less than a dollar.

Ecuador’s position has changed, but is it a fair position in the face of the situation in your country?

He’s on his way to justice. There is a fresh wind that announces important changes. That we come to Ecuadorians. We need your help. We come to ask for help. Do not leave us alone, do not let us die. I am going to tell the parliamentarians of Ecuador, the president Lenin Moreno, the chancellor (José Valencia), the businessmen, social communicators that remember what José Martí said: that when someone sees a crime committed and does nothing being an accomplice. The international community cannot be an accomplice. 

How do you see the future of the relationship between Ecuador and Venezuela?

Auspicious. We are going to meet again as San Martin and Bolívar met again. Destiny brings together people that have an indissoluble bond. (I)

Source: http://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/antonioledezma-entrevista-crisis-venezuela-CF2236141