Santiago Peña, the President of Paraguay, faced a diplomatic crisis following his recent recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela. This acknowledgment came after Peña's earlier statements expressing a desire to restore diplomatic ties with Venezuela, which had been severed during his presidency.
The diplomatic rift escalated when the Venezuelan government condemned Peña's comments, accusing him of violating international law and the principle of non-intervention. In response, Venezuela officially severed relations with Paraguay, demanding the expulsion of Paraguayan diplomats within 48 hours.
Peña's recognition of González Urrutia, who claims to have won the Venezuelan presidential elections, marks a significant shift in Paraguay's foreign policy. This decision has drawn criticism from former officials and constitutional experts, who label it as a failure in foreign diplomacy.
The Paraguayan government had previously accepted Venezuela's entry into Mercosur in 2013 under former President Horacio Cartes, highlighting the complexities of the current diplomatic landscape.
As tensions rise, regional implications remain uncertain, with potential impacts on trade and alliances within South America.