LATAM: Colombia's Petro Calls For Power Sharing Agreement In Venezuela

Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a statement on X suggesting that a power sharing agreement between the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition could offer a route out of the political crisis and military tensions with the United States. 

• Petro noted that he "actively participated in seeking a national dialogue in Venezuela, and I mediated something between the Maduro government and the Biden government, before the elections."
• Petro continued, "A shared transitional government to convene a broad popular will that decides on agreements and can open paths to democracy, without undue pressures."
• Bloomberg notes, "Petro’s comments mark a shift in his approach to resolving Venezuela’s protracted political turmoil. Until now, he had called for the country’s presidential election to be repeated."
• Bloomberg adds, "Earlier this week, Colombia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Rosa Villavicencio told Bloomberg that Colombia backed a transition plan, which included offering Maduro a safe exit. Her office later attempted to walk back the comments, saying that it was an internal Venezuelan matter and that Colombia respects its neighbor’s sovereignty."
• A short time ago, five House Democrats announced legislation designed to cut funding for US military operations in or against Venezuela. Despite reportedly broad bipartisan support, the US Senate has twice blocked a war powers resolution aimed at preventing Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela.
• While Congressional action remains a long shot route to curbing US operations, a string a public setbacks for Trump in recent weeks suggests the US may be headed for a period of increased Congressional independence.