We must stand united against dictatorships in Latin America

During the Summit of the Americas, President Joe Biden’s administration demonstrated that his commitment to promoting democracy and freedom in the hemisphere remains intact.

Despite strong pressure from Mexico and other countries in the region, the governments of the dictatorial regimes of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua were not invited to the meeting. This is not to say that these countries were left without representation at the Summit, as members of the civil society were invited and had the opportunity to meet privately with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

During the meeting, members of the civil society had the opportunity to denounce the abuses of freedom in their countries and break down the painful situation in which hundreds of political prisoners live in the three nations.

As Carolina Barrero, a Cuban activist forced into exile after months of house arrest for participating in protests against the regime, stated, “Here, the civil society won. Dictatorships were not invited, but civil society was. The principles and values of democracy are the ones that prevailed over economic and political interests, over political ambiguity, and that in itself is a gain.”

The Secretary of State is very clear about who represents reality in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. “I met here with Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans who are more representative of their people than their regimes,” he said after the meeting.

In the case of Venezuela, representatives of the interim government of Venezuela attended the Summit of the Americas, and President Biden personally called the Venezuelan president in charge, Juan Guaidó. “I spoke with President Joe Biden, who confirmed his support for the Venezuelans’ struggle to recover democracy and to achieve free and fair elections. I appreciate his recognition and support for the Interim Government and the cause of Venezuela,” Guaidó said through social media.

During the call, made aboard Air Force One on the way to Los Angeles, Biden expressed his support for the negotiations as the best path towards the peaceful restoration of democratic institutions, free elections, rights, and freedoms in Venezuela. At the same time, he reaffirmed that he is willing to calibrate the sanctions policy based on the results of the negotiations, as he has already been doing.

Once again, demonstrating his commitment to the Venezuelan community, on the last day of the summit the president announced he will provide $314 million in humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees in the hemisphere. The assistance includes $171 million to support Venezuelan citizens who are in a vulnerable state within Venezuela, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It also includes $103 million for the State Department to invest in programs that help save lives of Venezuelan immigrants.

The White House has its eyes on Latin America, and the strategy is clear: all united against dictatorships in Latin America.