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BRUSSELS — The European Union has condemned the Venezuelan government’s refusal to publish official electoral records from the July 28, 2024, presidential election, calling the announced results unverified and lacking democratic legitimacy.
In a statement issued on Friday, High Representative Kaja Kallas expressed solidarity with Venezuelans who voted for change, reportedly supporting opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia by a significant majority based on publicly available electoral records.
“The Venezuelan authorities missed a key opportunity to respect the people’s will and ensure a transparent democratic transition with guarantees for all,” the statement read. “Nicolás Maduro therefore lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president.”
The EU criticized the Maduro government for intensifying repression since election day, including the arrest of more than 2,500 citizens, among them minors. While some detainees have been released, the EU called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.
“None should have spent a single day in custody,” the statement added.
The EU urged Venezuela to uphold international obligations, including human rights protections, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. It welcomed the return of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Caracas as a positive step and called for constructive engagement with international organizations, including the International Criminal Court and regional mechanisms.
In response to the situation, the EU announced targeted sanctions against 15 individuals accused of undermining democracy, the rule of law, or human rights in Venezuela. The measures aim to support a negotiated resolution to the crisis without harming the Venezuelan people or economy.
“The responsibility for ending the crisis in Venezuela lies with its authorities,” the statement emphasized, noting that the reversal of sanctions would depend on tangible progress in human rights, democracy, and dialogue.
The EU pledged continued humanitarian support for Venezuela, citing its commitment of nearly €75 million in 2024 to aid the most vulnerable.
“The European Union stands by all those upholding democratic values in Venezuela, including human rights defenders,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to fostering dialogue and supporting a Venezuelan-led democratic transition.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
