The tension between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan politician Juan Guaido has come to a head. This week, Guaido argued he was expelled from Colombia after planning to attend a summit. The Petro government argued that he arrived in the country “irregularly.” In response, Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) has welcomed Guaido to Miami, calling on Biden to grant him asylum.
Under President Donald Trump’s (R) administration, the United States acknowledged Guaido as the leader of Venezuela. However, his opposition was not successful.
Since then, Guaid has sought support from Colombia regarding the political crisis in Venezuela. On Monday, Guaido arrived in Bogota, seeking a meeting with international delegates, but he was met with opposition from Colombia’s president.
Guaido has expressed that he wants the summit to result in a commitment from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to continue negotiations with the opposition. These negotiations began in Mexico in 2001, but they have been on hold since November.
In a statement, Guaido said that he hopes “this summit can ensure that the Maduro regime returns to the negotiating table in Mexico and agrees to a credible timetable for free and fair elections to solve the current situation.”
On Twitter, Salazar welcomed Guaido and his family to Miami, sending out a message of support.
Calling Miami a place "where we welcome those who yearn for freedom," Salazar added that "today I am going to ask President Biden to grant you and your family asylum."
Bienvenido a Miami @jguaido, donde acogemos a los anhelan la libertad. Hoy mismo le voy a pedir al presidente Biden que se te otorgue asilo a ti y a tu familia.
Aquí sí somos solidarios con las fuerzas demócratas de Venezuela y no con la dictadura de Maduro y sus cómplices. https://t.co/sxfFcPsHmt
— Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@RepMariaSalazar) April 25, 2023
"Here we are in solidarity with the democratic forces of Venezuela and not with the Maduro dictatorship and its accomplices," Salazar further commented.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Colombia released a press release late Monday, saying that Guaido was "irregularly" in the country, so he was escorted to the international airport to take a plane heading to the U.S.
In a video filmed on the plane, Guaido said that he would release more information on Wednesday.
