Santos offers dialogue as democratic solution to Venezuela

The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, spoke out about what has happened  in Venezuela in recent days, where citizens are protesting against the Government of Nicolas Maduro.

According to Santos, everything that happens in Venezuela – good or bad – has implications for Colombia, so he is willing to help to “keep the peace in Venezuela”, proposing a dialogue as democratic solution. He made the statements during the delivery of vehicles for the police in Colombia.

Also he thanked Maduro for his support for the peace process between his Government and the guerrillas of the FARC since November 2012. Santos also spoke of moderation “both in speech and in political actions” and asked that the protests, “to which everyone is entitled to,” be carried out but without violent acts.

However, the President took the opportunity to make a call to respect the human rights of Colombians living in Venezuela, because of the deportations that have been happening. “They took away their the documents and then they deported them,” he added.