During the Barcelona interview, Petro outlined his proposal for a transitional co-governance arrangement in Venezuela lasting one to two years, designed to build trust between chavismo and opposition forces before holding free elections. The Colombian president characterized petroleum as “the curse of Venezuela” and suggested public fear exists regarding potential political vendetta should opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado return to power. Petro emphasized he does not consider himself a friend of Maduro and previously encouraged the former Venezuelan leader to cede power if desired by the electorate.
The Colombian president’s approach to Venezuela has drawn domestic criticism for insufficient condemnation of Maduro’s regime. While Bogotá never recognized a winner in Venezuela’s July 28, 2024 elections, Petro maintained diplomatic relations restored in August 2022 after years of bilateral rupture. His upcoming Caracas visit represents his first trip to Venezuela since Maduro’s fall and occurs despite Petro’s inclusion on the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanctions list, which he attributes partly to his Venezuelan engagement. The meeting agenda reportedly includes energy transition discussions alongside political transition topics, reflecting both nations’ petroleum-dependent economies and regional energy policy considerations.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
