Paulo Cafôfo deplored the “critical and serious” situation in Venezuela following the presidential elections, whose transparency has been questioned by the international community. He called on the Portuguese and regional governments to act “in an organized manner” to accompany, monitor, and integrate the Portuguese who wished to return to Portugal.

“The Socialist Party considers it of the utmost importance that the Portuguese government and also the regional government, given the size of the Madeiran community in Venezuela, can permanently monitor the situation in political and social terms and demand that democratic values can prevail in that country. On the other hand, it is also crucial that they monitor all the Portuguese who want to return, guaranteeing better integration,” said the Socialist leader at a press conference at the Luso-Venezuelan Festival in Ribeira Brava.

“It is natural that a large number of compatriots will return to Portugal in the near future and it is essential that they are welcomed in the best possible way so that they feel truly at home,” he stressed.

Paulo Cafôfo affirmed “the Socialist Party’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their struggle, democracy, freedom and truth, values that the Socialist Party shares and that are part of our DNA as a party that fought for democracy in Portugal”. He also reiterated “solidarity with the Portuguese community, mostly from Madeira, who chose that country to live in and who, over several generations, have contributed to Venezuela’s development.”

In Jornal da Madeira

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publications and the Maderia Diaspora Initiative at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.