By Delisa Morris
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
CARACAS, Venezuela — Ambassadors from both Spain and Venezuela have been summoned due to the remarks made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro concerning Spain’s take on the opposition crackdown.
During protests that occurred almost a year ago, President Maduro jailed several opposition leaders and has largely ignored numerous international outcry’s for their freedom.
Maduro made less than favorable comments toward Spain on Tuesday after the Spanish Parliament passed a motion calling for the release of opposition leaders jailed in the South American country. Venezuela is a former colony of Spain.
President Maduro condemned the measure as “an act of aggression by corrupt Spanish elites” and called Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy “a racist”.
He also accused the Spanish parliament of interfering in Venezuela’s affairs and recommended it “look after its mother”.
“In Spain, they are all racists,” he added, warning, “I am ready for the battle against Madrid.” He also threatened to go “on a tour of Spain and announce my candidacy for president,” even though Spain is run under a parliamentary system where non-members of the legislature cannot campaign for the top spot
The Spanish foreign ministry summoned Venezuelan Ambassador Mario Isea to tell him that Maduro’s “statements, insults and threats” were “intolerable”, it said in a statement.
Venezuela in turn summoned Spanish Ambassador Antonio Perez-Hernandez y Torra in protest, complaining of Spain’s “meddling and disrespectful statements”, said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez.
“We again call on the Spanish government to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty,” she said.
The negative treatment of opposition leaders by the Venezuelan government is a regular source of tension between the two countries.
Some of the jailed leaders include Leopoldo López, who was arrested in February 2014 for organizing a peaceful protest against Maduro, the mayor of western regional capital, San Cristóbal, and the mayor of the national capital, Caracas, have been arrested for expressing disagreement with the socialist government. Maduro accused both of being involved in a conspiracy to overthrow him.
Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Spain for consultations in February after Rajoy met with Lilian Tintori, the wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
The following month Rajoy met with Mitzy Capriles, the wife of Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, who has also been jailed in what Venezuelan opposition figures said was the latest crackdown on criticism of Maduro’s left-wing government.
Spanish political figures have been increasingly vocal in condemning human rights abuses in Venezuela. Former Spanish President Felipe González has personally taken it upon himself to defend López and Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma in Venezuela’s courts. This prompted Maduro to immediately accuse González of spearheading a coup attempt against him.
For more information, please see:
ABC News – Spain Files Protest With Venezuela Over President’s Comments – 16 Apr. 2015
The Local – Diplomatic spat: Spain, Venezuela tensions rise – 16 Apr. 2015
BreitBart – Spain Lodges Protest with Venezuela after President Calls Nation ‘Rascists’ – 16 Apr. 2015
telesur – Respect International Law, Venezuela Tells Spanish Diplomat – 15 Apr. 2015
