The constant violations of human rights caused by these presidents motivated the movement

An organization known as 'Youth for Democracy', which brings together members from different Latin American countries, gathered about 10,000 signatures in order to ask the Chilean government to withdraw the invitation given to Nicolas Maduro and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, for the inauguration ceremony of Sebastián Piñera on March 11th.

The initiative, which brings together political and social movements from 19 countries of Latin America, is led by Rosa María Payá, daughter of the late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá. A letter signed by 10,000 people and delivered on Wednesday to the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, the agency requests that the adminitastration issue a message to both dictators telling them that they are "not welcomed" in Chile.

"(The) constant abuses of Castro and Maduro when it comes to the human rights of our brothers and sisters, the plight of shortages of food, and medicine is one of the reasons for considering that these people do not deserve to be invited". This is indicated by a publication found on the organization's social networking sites confirming the purpose of their request.

This has not been the only request for rejection towards the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela in Chile. A week ago, parliamentarians of the South American country also issued a statement regarding the possible arrival of Nicolas Maduro and asked Michelle Bachelet to evaluate cancelling the invitation. 

However, a response issued by Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz announced that the invitation sent to the president of Venezuela for Piñera's inauguration will not be canceled because it is protocol, even if  Chile has a "very clear position on the Venezuelan government "

More to come?

The initiative of the organization Youth for Democracy in Chile comes after news that the president of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, asked Maduro not attend the Summit of the Americas, which will be held in Lima next April.

To this request, the Venezuelan dictator replied defiantly against Peru's Head of State indicating that he would attend the summit regardless of "rain or shine". But what might happen if Maduro insists on attending without being welcomed?

According to explanations given to the media outlet El Comercio by Francisco Tudela, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, the Venezuelan president could not be sanctioned legally, but bilateral relations would be affected.

"If he (Nicolas Maduro) decides to force his arrival, it is not a violation of international law […] What he is doing provoking a crisis. Probably what he wants is a break in relations with Peru to prevent Venezuelans to come over; find some pretext to block relations in both countries ", afirmed Tudela.

Latin American Post | Krishna Jaramillo

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