Panama’s ambassador to the United Nations demanded the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela on Monday. Eloy Alfaro de Alba also forcefully reiterated that his government does not recognize Delcy Rodríguez as the nation’s president following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities.
The statement came during a critical session of the UN Security Council focused on the Venezuelan crisis. Ambassador Alfaro de Alba specifically highlighted the detention of a Panamanian citizen, Olmedo Javier Núñez Peñalba, calling for his immediate and unconditional freedom.
“It is indispensable to demand the unconditional release of people detained for political reasons,” Eloy Alfaro told the council. [Translated from Spanish]
Panama’s top diplomat at the United Nations reminded members that Venezuelans have already chosen their leader. He cited the July 2024 election where Edmundo González Urrutia secured victory with approximately 70 percent of the vote. The transition plan, Alfaro de Alba noted, belongs to the team of González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Rejecting a ‘Madurismo’ Transition
Any attempt to establish a permanent government under the current regime would be a profound mistake according to the Panamanian position. The ambassador warned that recognizing any authority other than the elected president would normalize authoritarianism. He left no room for ambiguity regarding Panama’s stance on the political future of Venezuela.
“Panama reiterates that it does not recognize and will not recognize the authoritarian and illegitimate regime that has held Venezuelans hostage,” Alfaro de Alba stated. He added that any resolution must be peaceful. “You cannot speak of a genuine transition with ‘Madurismo’.” [Translated from Spanish]
This firm declaration aligns Panama with a growing bloc of nations insisting on respecting the 2024 electoral results. The term ‘Madurismo’ refers to the political structure and ideology maintained under Nicolás Maduro’s rule.
Panamanian Government Coordinates Diplomatic Position
President José Raúl Mulino convened a separate meeting with key ambassadors on Monday to solidify Panama’s response. Attendees evaluated the nation’s position on Venezuela to ensure a unified diplomatic front. The discussion included José Miguel Alemán, Panama’s ambassador to Washington, and Ana Irene Delgado, the ambassador to the Organization of American States (OEA).
Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha and Vice Minister Carlos Hoyos also participated. Officials decided to maintain the line articulated by President Mulino, which demands respect for the popular will expressed in the July election. This policy explicitly supports Edmundo González as the legitimate president and rejects Delcy Rodríguez as Maduro’s successor.
Ambassador Ana Irene Delgado is scheduled to present Panama’s position again on Tuesday. She will address an extraordinary session of the OAS Permanent Council in Washington D.C. That meeting will assess recent events in Venezuela, offering another platform for Panama’s arguments against accommodating the existing regime.
Panama’s vigorous diplomacy underscores its commitment to a democratic outcome in Venezuela. The country is leveraging its voice in multilateral forums to advocate for the release of political prisoners and constitutional order. This activity signals an engaged foreign policy from the Mulino administration focused on regional democratic stability.