Guyana is among a number of countries including the United States which yesterday expressed “deep concern” about statements and actions that cast doubt on the integrity of the recent electoral process in Colombia.
“We observe with deep concern the recent statements and actions that, without duly substantiated grounds, cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process in the Republic of Colombia,” a joint statement released by the State Department said, according to Reuters. It did not cite any specific action or comment.
The document was signed by the U.S., Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
Guyana has not issued a statement locally on this matter.
Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella won a tight victory in last month’s presidential election. U.S. President Donald Trump had endorsed him.
Friday’s joint statement came from the countries called the “Shield of the Americas,” which Reuters described as a Trump-created military alliance of right-wing leaders pledging to fight drug trafficking.
Reuters noted that Trump had publicly feuded with Gustavo Petro, a former rebel and Colombia’s first leftist president. Colombian leftist senator Ivan Cepeda conceded in the country’s presidential race late last month and criticized what he cast as foreign interference by Trump in the race, said voters had been manipulated by content made with artificial intelligence and accused De La Espriella of a vote-buying operation, without providing evidence.
Kiskadee Watch reported on July 6th that Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and De la Espriella, had held a telephone conversation in which both discussed the creation of a strategic alliance focused on regional security, energy cooperation, and the promotion of the gas sector.
Spanish newspaper Demócrata said that as detailed by the press office of De la Espriella, during the exchange the two leaders reviewed different formulas to deepen bilateral collaboration in areas considered key by both governments.
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