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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org

ATLANTA — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Organization of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro met in Plains, Georgia, Thursday to exchange ideas on matters relating to democracy and human rights in the region.

They discussed possibilities of cooperation and agreed on some of the principal challenges facing the hemisphere:

Venezuela

Sept. 1 Protest: They congratulated the Venezuelan people who conducted a peaceful demonstration today in Caracas, which reaffirms the will of the people for a democratic resolution in connection with the recall referendum. 

Recall Referendum: They agreed on the need for the recall referendum (a constitutional right of the Venezuelan people) to be held in 2016. They agreed, too, that, it was incumbent upon the National Electoral Council to ensure that that expression of the will of the people takes place within the duly stipulated timeframes.

Political Prisoners: They jointly condemned the proven existence of political prisoners in Venezuela and demanded their immediate release.

Haiti

President Carter and Secretary General Almagro pointed to the need to comply with the electoral timetable and called for much-needed democratic stability to be achieved in that country as soon as possible.

Colombia

Both men emphasized their commitment to peace in Colombia. They trust that the recent agreements signal the end to a uniquely painful period in the history of Colombia.

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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, Carterhas helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. Carterwas founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.