EU calls for verifiable election results in Venezuela, asks for access to arrested Europeans

The European Council ratified that it will only accept and recognize results of the July 28 presidential elections in Venezuela that are “complete and independently verifiable,” and requested consular access to European citizens arrested in the South American country.

The leaders of the 27 countries that make up the European Union (EU), at the end of a summit held in Brussels, once again expressed concern about the human rights violations reported in Venezuela after the presidential elections, according to a document published on Thursday.

The EU urged the Venezuelan authorities to respect the democratic will and put an end to violence, repression and harassment of the opposition and civil society.

In addition, he asked the Venezuelan authorities to “fully” respect the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations and on Diplomatic Relations, granting “full and unhindered” consular access to the European citizens detained in Venezuela.

At least three European citizens are arrested in Venezuela, accused of allegedly being involved in alleged plans that would seek to overthrow the Maduro government.

EU calls for constructive transition

Almost three months before the elections, the electoral authority, which proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro as the winner, has not released the broken down results, amid complaints of fraud by the opposition that attributes the victory to the former presidential candidate, Edmundo González Urrutiacurrently in “forced exile” in Spain.

Part of the international community has not recognized Maduro as the winner and various parliaments have approved resolutions urging governments to recognize González Urrutia as the legitimate and democratically elected president of Venezuela.

González Urrutia said in recent days that hopes to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible” to assume the position of President of the Republic on January 10, as established by the Venezuelan Constitution, a possibility that the government has ruled out.

The pro-government majority Parliament of Venezuela, the institution in charge of swearing in the elected president, has already sent the invitation to Maduro to assume his third term.

The EU said it will continue to work with regional partners to support the Venezuelan people and reaffirmed its willingness to support a constructive and inclusive transition with guarantees for all parties to resolve the political deadlock.

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