In Venezuela, the opposition warns of an unprecedented “migration wave” if Nicolas Maduro remains in power.

Maria Corina Machado’s Warning to Mexican President on Venezuelan Migration

Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, issued a warning to Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) on August 8 regarding a potential unprecedented surge in Venezuelan migration if President Nicolas Maduro, whose reelection is contested, clings to power by force. Machado expressed concern that the situation could lead to a migration wave of three to five million Venezuelans in a short period. She urged Lopez Obrador to intervene for a negotiated solution between Maduro and the Venezuelan opposition, emphasizing Mexico’s significant influence due to its direct communication channels with the Maduro regime.

Mexico’s Position on Venezuelan Electoral Process

The left-wing government of Mexico has refrained from criticizing the Venezuelan electoral process and declined participation in an Organization of American States (OAS) session on the country’s crisis. Lopez Obrador previously urged against interference in Venezuela’s electoral process and indicated support for the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), to which the opposition and many observers have expressed skepticism. Amid allegations of electoral irregularities, the opposition claimed its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won with 67% of the votes, which contradicts the results recognized by Maduro’s government.

International Concerns and Calls for Diplomatic Intervention

The U.S. ambassador to the OAS, Francisco Mora, warned Maduro about potential international isolation if opposition leaders were arrested, further emphasizing the disagreement over the election results. Machado believed that Mexico, alongside Colombia and Brazil, could play a pivotal role in negotiating a resolution with Maduro’s government. The recent migration figures from Venezuela have underscored the dire economic and political crisis in the country, with millions of Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighboring nations and beyond, contributing to the broader migration issues in the region.