There is a possible solution to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela that is not receiving due attention in the international community. According to the first paragraph of article 71 of the constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: “Matters of special national interest may be subjected to a consultant referendum by the initiative of the president of the republic and his ministers; by agreement of the majority in the national assembly; or by a petition of 10% or more of citizens registered with the voters national registry.”

On these legal grounds we, the undersigned Venezuelan citizens, propose – as a means to solve the current harmful confrontation and thus prevent possible bloodshed and the worsening of our economic situation – the calling of a consultant referendum, in order to ask Venezuelan citizens two questions:

1 Do they agree to hold new presidential and national assembly elections, in 90 days, on terms to be agreed within two weeks by representatives of Nicolás Maduro’s government and the opposition, with the oversight of the United Nations; and

2 Do they agree to the formation of an independent expert commission, of limited duration, with representatives from both government and opposition, and the international community, with the purpose of defining a strategy to alleviate the economic crisis in the country.

We also ask the United Nations to issue a resolution forbidding acts of foreign aggression against Venezuela, calling for the return of the illegally retained funds of the country, and offering support to implement the results of the referendum.
Ramses Fuenmayor
Alejandro Ochoa
Jorge Davila
All professors emeriti, University of Los Andes, Venezuela

• Join the debate – email [email protected]

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

• Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread of our print edition