MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mujica calls for a “sensible attitude” from the US given the political situation in Venezuela

The Uruguayan president at Chavez funeral in the Caracas military academy (Pic AP)

Uruguayan president called for a “sensible attitude” from the United States given the new political situation in Venezuela following the death of leader Hugo Chavez and was also optimistic about the future of the country in the post Chavez era.

“Let’s hope the US adopts a sensible attitude following the new political situation in Venezuela, and that there is no tension from that side”, said Mujica to a pro-government weekly on Thursday. He added that he didn’t foresee any debacle in Venezuela despite Chavez death.

“I see no debacle scenario or of internal confrontations. Currently I don’t see that. I see a country deep in grief but with great commitment, an almost enviable commitment”, said the Uruguayan president currently in Caracas for the funeral ceremonies.

However Mujica admitted that the new political scenario with coming elections can bring surprises. Under the Venezuelan constitution, electoral authorities are mandated to call for fresh elections in thirty days.

“I hope all Venezuelans, both government and opposition, have the necessary maturity to overcome this situation that inevitably will have its surprises”, admitted Mujica who added that other South American leaders’ job is “to help mitigate pain and transmit calm”.

Nevertheless the people of Venezuela will make their decision, “a people who has among those most vulnerable the huge acknowledgement of the social sharing which the presence of Chavez has meant for their country and the rest of the Americas”.

“We’ve never felt so close to his legacy and this is probably one of the seeds Chavez has sown along the continent, and that is why it makes him a figure of our times”.

Finally Mujica admitted to “the marked division in Venezuelan public opinion”, but he also anticipated that “it seems that the forge of history will bring peoples together, leaving aside the political standings of governments”.