Niël Terblanché
President Nicolás Maduro Moros was sworn in for his third term as the leader of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on Friday
The inauguration ceremony, held in Caracas, was attended by various international dignitaries, including a Namibian delegation led by Jenelly Matundu, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Matundu served as the special envoy of President Nangolo Mbumba during the visit.
According to international media reports, the event took place amid significant international controversy.
The 2024 Venezuelan presidential election faced widespread allegations of fraud and irregularities.
Opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia claimed victory after stating that the electoral process was manipulated to favour Maduro.
International observers, including the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries, have expressed concerns over the legitimacy of Maduro’s re-election.
The Financial Times reported that in response, nations such as the U.S., Canada, the UK, and the EU have imposed sanctions targeting top Venezuelan officials, aiming to pressure Maduro’s regime.
Despite these controversies, Maduro proceeded with the inauguration, emphasizing Venezuela’s sovereignty and resilience against external pressures.
According to AP News, the ceremony was marked by heightened security measures, including the closure of borders with Colombia and Brazil and the suspension of flights, actions the government stated were necessary to ensure national security.
The Namibian government’s decision to send a delegation to the inauguration is a demonstration of its good diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
Namibia’s presence at the ceremony aligns it with countries that have chosen to engage with Maduro’s administration, despite international criticism.
It was also reported that the international community continues to monitor developments closely, particularly concerning human rights and democratic processes.
President Maduro is set to govern Venezuela for the next six years.
