The first vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, speaks during a press conference, in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Marcos Salgado)
"Without a doubt, a new opportunity is opening up for the Colombia we all want ... a new opportunity for dialogue is opening up. It radically changes the relationship with Venezuela," Cabello said during his weekly press conference in Caracas.
CARACAS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Gustavo Petro's presidential win in Colombia opens up an opportunity for dialogue and restoring diplomatic relations, first vice president of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello said Monday.
"Without a doubt, a new opportunity is opening up for the Colombia we all want ... a new opportunity for dialogue is opening up. It radically changes the relationship with Venezuela," Cabello said during his weekly press conference in Caracas.
Cabello, who congratulated Petro and his vice-presidential running mate Francia Marquez, said the election outcome "reflects signs of hope" for a diplomatic relationship that has been frozen for more than three years.
Venezuela severed political and diplomatic ties with Colombia on Feb. 23, 2019, after the neighboring nation refused to recognize the mandate of President Nicolas Maduro.
"Venezuela has always been here, in the same place, with open arms," Cabello said in reference to his country's willingness to dialogue.
He stressed the ruling party "supports any initiative to quickly restore the good relations between Colombia and Venezuela." ■
