Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, known for his opposition to authoritarian regimes in Latin America, used his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly to condemn the recent electoral fraud committed by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
In his final address as Uruguay's head of state, Lacalle Pou sharply criticized the political crisis in Venezuela, labeling its regime as "authoritarian and intolerant" and highlighting the numerous human rights violations and abuses reported within the country.
"Many governments and world leaders have turned a blind eye. Some due to lack of interest, and many others out of self-interest. It’s about condemning the fraud, condemning the regime, not just a flawed electoral process," Lacalle Pou declared from the UN headquarters in New York.
The president urged various governments to take action to prevent the spread of "authoritarianism" in Latin America and other regions.
A Call for International Responsibility
"It is time to act for Venezuela, for Venezuelans, and also, allow me to say, if the international community tolerates these attitudes, we can only wait to see which country will be next to suffer what Venezuelans are enduring," he emphasized.
Last year, from the same podium, Lacalle Pou reiterated his strong criticism of "authoritarian populisms," indirectly referring to regimes like those in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. On multiple occasions, the Uruguayan leader has stressed how these governments not only violate human rights but also impoverish their people, urging the international community to take a firmer stance.
Regional Leaders Echo Concerns
This call to action wasn't isolated. In January 2023, during the CELAC Summit in Buenos Aires, Lacalle Pou criticized the organization for accommodating governments that, in his view, do not respect democracy or human rights. He emphasized the need to overcome ideological divisions and focus on the defense of fundamental rights.
Following this critical stance, Argentine President Javier Milei also delivered strong rebukes last Tuesday, this time directed at the UN, for allowing countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran to be part of its Human Rights Council. Milei described these nations as "bloody dictatorships" and argued that they should not be part of an organization that defends human rights.
Chile's Stand on Venezuelan Authoritarianism
Chilean President Gabriel Boric also expressed his concern over the authoritarianism and violations occurring in Venezuela, exacerbated by the electoral fraud committed by Maduro and his government on July 28. Boric highlighted that Latin America is "facing a dictatorship that intends to steal an election, persecutes its opponents, and is indifferent to the exile of millions of its citizens."
He called for a "political solution" to the Venezuelan crisis and urged recognition of the opposition's victory, led by former candidate Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, to pave the way for a peaceful transition to a full democracy.