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Santo Domingo.- Members of the Venezuelan community in the Dominican Republic, opposed to Nicolás Maduro’s regime, voiced their support for President Luis Abinader for his strong stance in defense of democracy in Venezuela. Former Venezuelan congressman Wilmer Azuaje praised Abinader and key officials like Minister of Industry and Commerce Víctor Bisonó for maintaining a firm position against Maduro’s regime. Azuaje dismissed recent accusations by Maduro and his Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, urging Abinader to ignore their “desperate statements” and uphold sanctions against the regime.
Azuaje also expressed support for Abinader’s diplomatic efforts, which he highlighted during his second-term inauguration speech, emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the Venezuelan people. Venezuelan journalist José Rafael Mata further acknowledged the Dominican government’s humanitarian actions, which have allowed over 100,000 Venezuelans to legally reside in the country. He also thanked the President of the Dominican Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, for advocating increased international pressure on Maduro.
Tensions between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic escalated after the disputed presidential elections on July 28, where Maduro was declared the winner. Several countries, including the Dominican Republic, questioned the results, prompting Maduro to withdraw his diplomats from multiple nations, further straining relations.