EU Parliament Calls for Free and Fair Elections in Venezuela
IDU Vice Chairman and Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, points to the fact that Members of the European Parliament urge Venezuelan authorities to prevent a further deterioration of the crisis. MEPs also strongly denounced Nicolás Maduro’s threats to expel the EU ambassador. “All EU countries must comply with EU sanctions against Venezuelan officials”, David McAllister stated in Brussels.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament reiterates its deep concern at the severity of the humanitarian emergency in Venezuela. In the text, carried by 487 votes in favour, 119 against with 79 abstentions, MEPs call for urgent action to prevent the humanitarian and public health crisis in Venezuela, which has already been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, from getting any worse.
They urge the Venezuelan authorities to acknowledge the ongoing humanitarian crisis, prevent it from deteriorating any further, and to promote political and economic solutions, for the benefit of the country’s citizens. Moreover, the Joint Motion for Resolution strongly rejects the violations of the democratic, constitutional and transparent functioning of the National Assembly and reiterates its acknowledgement that Juan Guaidó is the legitimate President of the National Assembly and the legitimate interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The European Parliament also welcomes the pledges and efforts made by the International Donors Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants. The conference was held on 26 May and gathered EUR 2.544 billion in commitments (EUR 595 million in direct grants). To ensure the pledges reach those who are in desperate need as soon as possible, MEPs insist that bureaucracy should be reduced and simplified.
On top of hyperinflation, the migration crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic riddling Venezuela, there is deepening political instability. MEPs reiterate their full support for Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate interim President and for the National Assembly as the only legitimately elected democratic political body.
“We strongly reject all attacks on democratically elected representatives and opposition parties, and insist that a peaceful political solution can only be reached in Venezuela if the National Assembly’s constitutional prerogatives are fully respected”, said David McAllister.
The European Parliament calls for conditions to be created that would lead to free, transparent and credible presidential and legislative elections. It strongly regrets the threats made by Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro to expel the EU ambassador from Caracas, due to new EU sanctions announced against eleven Venezuelan officials, even though the recent decision by the regime to do so was eventually reversed.
Regarding sanctions, the European Parliament reminds all EU countries that they must comply with the 2017/2074 Council Decision, “notably the prevention of the entry into, or transit through, their territories of the persons to whom the restrictive measures apply”, and notify the Council of any exemptions.