The Constituent National Assembly's decision to waive the parliamentary immunity of the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, is a "serious violation of the Venezuelan Constitution" and the rule of law, with the National Assembly being the only entity authorised to waive the immunity of Venezuelan parliamentarians, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini on Thursday 4 April on behalf of the Twenty-Eight.
"Civil rights, freedom and physical integrity [of MEPs and the president] must be respected at all times", she said in a statement.
Established in 2017 to bypass the work of the Venezuelan National Assembly, the National Constituent Assembly is 100% controlled by President Maduro's PSUV party. It has never been recognised by the European Union, nor has Nicolás Maduro's second presidential term.
The self-proclaimed President, Juan Guaidó, denounced the "inquisition" led by the Maduro regime and considered the decision of the National Constituent Assembly null and void.
According to Ms Mogherini, such actions, as well as the recent arrest of Mr Guaidó's Chief of Staff, weaken the search for a political solution to the Venezuelan crisis and lead to a further polarisation of positions.
The High Representative underlines that the EU is ready to take "all appropriate measures" to respond to developments on the ground. EU Foreign Ministers will take stock of the Venezuelan crisis at lunch on Monday 8 April. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)