A dozen European countries recognized on an individual basis, on Monday, February 4, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as the interim legitimate president of Venezuela to call for new presidential elections.
"The Spanish Government announces the official recognition of the President of the Assembly of Venezuela, Mr Guaidó, as President of Venezuela", said the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, calling on him to convene "as soon as possible" a "free and democratic" presidential election.
Following in the footsteps of Spain are Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, etc. Many of these countries had given Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum, whose second presidential term is not recognised by the EU, giving him eight days to announce the holding of new presidential elections (see EUROPE 12184).
Finland supports Mr Guaidó's decision, but is only entitled to recognise sovereign States.
The European countries' initiative met with immediate opposition from Russia, which immediately criticised their interference. It could have consequences in diplomatic relations between Caracas and the European countries present there.
The Italian government, which is reported to have slowed down the adoption of a new declaration by the Twenty-eight on the Venezuelan political crisis, is struggling to adopt a united position. Despite its proximity to Russia, Matteo Salvini's Lega would align itself with Brazil's anti-Maduro position, while Luigi Di Maio's 5-star Movement does not want to support either Mr Maduro or Mr Guaidó.
Present in Brussels on Monday, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Georges Katrougalos, clarified his country's position, often presented as pro-Maduro. Stressing the importance for the EU to have a "autonomous and united position" based on the principles of the rule of law, the search for a "peaceful" political solution and the rejection of any external "interference", he acknowledged and respected "the role of the National Assembly and its President in preparing" for new fair and impartial elections.
In the margins of the EU/Arab League Ministerial Meeting (see other news), the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy indicated that only Member States were in a position to formally recognise other states or institutions within a state.
"Some Member States are currently making use of these skills", noted Federica Mogherini.
She recalled that the EU had a united European position on the Venezuelan issue: the Twenty-eight do not recognise Mr Maduro's second term as President, consider the Presiding National Assembly and the role of its President, Juan Guaidó, as "legitimate" and have adopted targeted sanctions against eighteen people close to the Maduro regime.
Inaugural meeting of the International Contact Group
This common position is complemented by the establishment by several EU and Latin American countries of an international contact group to facilitate the organisation of new presidential elections within three months (see EUROPE 12184).
This contact group - which will include, on the European side, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom - will hold its first meeting on Thursday 7 February in Montevideo at the invitation of the Uruguayan President.
Not participating, but closely associated: the Vatican, the United States, China, Russia, Mexico and Norway, officially for practical organisational matters, according to Ms Mogherini. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)