Venezuela’s interim President Juan Guaidó has been appointed last week to the representative of his government in Switzerland. They were surprised?
no, because I’ve talked about this opportunity with Expo, the Guaidó government in Caracas ducks for some time. I’m not surprised, but grateful. I feel the appeal which has been decided by the Venezuelan national Assembly, in ordinary session, as a recognition for the work I’ve done in the last few years.

For Guaidó you are now, so the Venezuelan Ambassador in Switzerland.
I’m still waiting for the necessary documents to forward them to the Swiss authorities. But for Guaidós government, I am now the official representative in Switzerland.

Switzerland but has not recognised, in contrast to many EU States Juan Guaidó as President. Then the Swiss government will probably acknowledge you as his Ambassador.
The current Situation for Switzerland as well as for us. We clarify at present, what are the appropriate mechanisms to get in contact.

you have Had since your appointment to contact the Venezuelan Embassy in Bern?
no, the Venezuelan Embassy, I have for a long time no contact.

“The political opinion of diplomatic functionaries is a private matter.”

In the EU member States, the Guaidó acknowledge, will receive his representatives the official Status as an Ambassador. You want the also? The Swiss government is to hesitant?
I respect the traditions, laws, rules, and the policy of neutrality of Switzerland. And I know that they will not recognise any governments, but some countries. Nevertheless, I am confident that with the Swiss authorities for constructive cooperation.

you have been during the five years in which you, as a diplomat for the Venezuelan government have worked with their policy? Diplomatic officials to represent the interests of their country, not those of the government party. Your political opinion is a private matter.

you Have selected as a private person ever Hugo Chávez ?
no.

How is the Situation of the Venezuelans and Venezuelans in Switzerland?
you are faced with the Problem that the Venezuelan Embassy in Bern is more of an ideological indoctrination centre as a service point. Many who want to renew your expired passport, do not get to hear that this is possible. It is because there is allegedly no Material to new passports. Or because the Internet connection with Caracas had collapsed. For someone who has to be renewed every year with a Swiss B permit, it is very uncomfortable because of a valid passport of the country of origin is necessary. My own Venezuelan passport is expired since 2009.

you will not be in your new role in the situation, someone issued a passport.
We are working on it.

in Switzerland There are also Venezuelans, on the side of Nicolás Maduro .
Of the approximately 3000 living in Switzerland Venezuelans are only listed for about 650 in the voters ‘ register. And for years, around 50 persons, the votes for the Bolivarian Revolution. So less than 10 percent of the electorate.

last Saturday, wanted to bring Juan Guaidó 600 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela and the members of the army to move, to avert from Maduro. Both of which obviously failed. Are you disappointed?
I’m not disappointed, but horrified and ashamed that a political ideology has prevailed over the needs of a desperate, hungry, and medically underserved population. Maduro and his supporters are so stubborn that you don’t want to see the damage they cause, or him. You are such a pervert, and feel it as a Triumph, to have the much-needed humanitarian relief supplies prevented.

Before Guaidó interim President, he has taken in the United States with representatives of the Trump-government and key Republicans, for example, with the Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio. It receives commands from Washington?
It is not for me to judge political developments in the United States, the decisions of American politicians and the American government. But the crimes committed by Maduro’s Regime on the last weekend, have also criticized numerous exponents of the Democrats, such as Nancy Pelosi or Bill, and Hillary Clinton . Juan Guaidó has taken on with great courage, common sense, Patriotism and a sense of responsibility, a task, in the interest of a people, oppressed by a shameless dictatorship, and starved. Guaidó embodies the desire for a democratic change, and for this he seeks the help of the international community.

“A government that can aid in fire-setting, is capable of anything.”

If Maduro does not give in and the humanitarian situation in Venezuela continues to worsen, could it come so far that a military intervention of the United States is desirable?
I am absolutely sure that Guaidó and the Venezuelan national Assembly will do everything to solve this conflict peacefully. And for that, you not only have the support of the United States, but also of many other Latin American and European countries.

Guaidó is currently in Colombia. He refuse to Maduro, the return to Venezuela?
of A government that makes drugs and food for the Needy in fire, is capable of anything.

In an Interview with the Colombian magazine “Semana” said a representative of the ICRC , his organization had not been involved in the delivery of aid to Venezuela, because the whole action had been politicized.
I can understand this Position. To open a humanitarian corridor for aid deliveries, it takes in accordance with the Geneva conventions, an international armed conflict. Those who provide help, you must be strictly neutral, and the deliveries must be accepted by all parties to the conflict.

Then give it to the representative of the ICRC so right?
I said, I can understand as an expert his Position from the point of view of international Law. But what seems to me to be unacceptable is that there should be no Alternative. The Suffering of the Venezuelan civilian population is overwhelming, it should be with all the Considerations in the first place. If the ICRC can’t be for legal reasons, actively, then it must be possible that other organizations or institutions, provide humanitarian assistance, in Accordance with international law. I would have hoped for from such an important organization such as the ICRC, that it is considering this, at least, instead of with his arms crossed, standing by. Because the most important task of any humanitarian organization is to help the Needy.

There are some Swiss politicians who defend Maduro. The most famous is the Geneva Alt-Nationalrat Jean Ziegler . What would you say to him?
As a diplomat, I say to Mr Ziegler. As a man I would ask him, even without ideological blinders and beyond any pre-made rhetoric with people from Venezuela. And listen to what they have to tell you.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 26.02.2019, 15:40 Uhr