European Parliament condemns Maduro regime’s interference in Venezuela’s 2024 elections

The plenary on Thursday denounced the disqualification of the main Venezuelan opposition candidates and the interference of the Maduro regime in the 2024 elections.

In a resolution adopted with 495 votes in favour, 25 against and 43 abstentions, MEPs condemn the 15-year political disqualification of María Corina Machado and other leading opposition figures such as Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano as “another step by the regime to obstruct the electoral process and nullify any prospect of a return to democracy”.

MEPs call on the EU to support the holding of free elections in Venezuela and see the elections as a turning point for a return to democracy after the institutional, economic and political instability in the country, from which more than 7 million people have been forced to emigrate.

Parliament recalls that the arbitrary and unconstitutional disqualifications of candidates severely restrict the right of Venezuelans to elect their representatives. The blockades of the opposition contradict the recommendations of the EU electoral mission (EOM), say MEPs, who point out that the Organisation of American States (OAS), the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the UN have all openly rejected such measures.

European Parliament regrets the deterioration of democracy and human rights in Cuba

Transparent appointments and release of political prisoners

MEPs deplore the forced resignation of two principal rectors of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the appointment of representatives of the regime to choose the new rectors. They call for an independent appointment procedure and urge the Venezuelan authorities to ensure fair, free and transparent elections.

It also condemns the imprisonment of political prisoners, as well as systematic violations of freedom of opinion and expression, the right of assembly and restrictions on public information. The plenary also expresses its support for the investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime and recognises the efforts of the opposition to organise primary elections for Venezuelans inside and outside the country.

The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean for democracy

MEPs see the summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to be held on 17-18 July in Brussels – after eight years without meetings at the highest level – as an opportunity to defend the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and hope that the summit will issue a declaration calling for respect for democracy and fundamental freedoms.

More information: European Parliament