On Monday 28 May, the European foreign affairs ministers announced the European Union would swiftly adopt further sanctions against Venezuela. The ministers also called for presidential elections to be held that respect international democratic standards – unlike those on 20 May that enabled the re-election of Nicolas Maduro.
The EU "will act swiftly, according to established procedures, with the aim of imposing additional targeted and reversible restrictive measures, that do not harm the Venezuelan population, whose plight the EU wishes to alleviate", the Council announced in its conclusions (see EUROPE 12027).
"There was a strong unity from the ministers concerning the call for new presidential elections that must be free and fair, and respect the constitutional rules and the participation of all political parties, as well as a call to release all political prisoners", Mogherini told press.
In its conclusions adopted the same day, the Council strongly criticised Maduro's re-election. "The election and its outcome lacked any credibility as the electoral process did not ensure the necessary guarantees for inclusive and democratic elections", the Council sums up.
The "substantially reduced" electoral calendar, obstacles to the participation of opposition political parties, as well as the non-respect of "minimal" democratic standards, "notably the widespread abuse of state resources, voter coercion and unbalanced access to media", "led to these elections being neither free nor fair", the Council states.
The EU would nevertheless like to maintain dialogue with all stakeholders in the country and in the region in order to facilitate "the emergence of a democratic solution to the different dimensions of the current crisis". The EU will thus strengthen its diplomatic action to all the actors concerned at the national, regional and international level.
Alarmed by the urgent humanitarian needs of the population, the Council calls on the government to take immediate measures to alleviate the effects of the crisis. The Council also announced the stepping up of EU support to Venezuelans, in the country and in the neighbouring countries. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)