European foreign ministers will once again take stock of the Venezuelan crisis on Monday 18 February, as humanitarian aid crystallises the political battle between the Maduro regime and the opposition embodied by Juan Guaidó, Venezuela's self-proclaimed president.
On Wednesday 13 February, the Venezuelan crisis was discussed by the Member States' ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) without it being the subject of debate.
The ministers, who are not expected to try to adopt a new joint declaration on Monday, will be specifically informed of the results of the first international contact group meeting, which was held in early February in Montevideo (see EUROPE 12190).
One of the issues to be addressed concerns the delivery of humanitarian aid outside of Venezuela. Nicolás Maduro rejects this aid as being a Trojan horse from Western countries who are only after the oil reserves. The Venezuelan army, which still supports Mr Maduro, is blocking the crossing point at the Colombian border.
Supported by the United States and some 20 European countries, Mr Guaidó chose Saturday 23 February, as the deadline for humanitarian aid to enter from Colombia and Brazil, calling on Venezuelans to form caravans to do so.
The EU also wishes to open a humanitarian liaison office in Caracas.
On Wednesday, the spokesperson for Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, rejected Mr Maduro's accusations that Ms Mogherini had aligned herself with the US position. According to the spokesperson, Ms Mogherini has taken “sides with the Venezuelans” calling for the “urgent“ organisation of credible Presidential elections and the “urgent” delivery of humanitarian aid. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)