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BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON — The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have condemned Nicolás Maduro’s recent presidential inauguration, calling it an illegitimate attempt to retain power and undermining Venezuela’s democratic legitimacy.
“We, the G7 foreign ministers, denounce the lack of democratic legitimacy of today’s purported inauguration of Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela,” the statement read. “We reject Maduro’s continued and repressive grasp at power at the expense of the Venezuelan people, who voted for change peacefully and in large numbers on July 28, 2024.”
The ministers emphasized that the Venezuelan people, according to independent observers and publicly available electoral records, overwhelmingly supported Edmundo González Urrutia in the 2024 presidential election. They also condemned Maduro’s repression of civil society and the opposition, including the forced exile of González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado.
“We strongly condemn the ongoing repression of civil society and members of the opposition in Venezuela,” the statement added. “No political leader should be forced to seek refuge outside their homeland.”
The G7 expressed concern about Maduro’s disregard for democratic principles, rule of law, and human rights, particularly in the aftermath of peaceful protests. The ministers also voiced alarm over the arbitrary arrests of civilians, including children and activists, following the election.
In a coordinated effort, the U.S. and its allies announced new actions against Maduro and his representatives, including sanctions and visa restrictions targeting key officials involved in the repression and electoral fraud. The U.S. Department of State increased its reward offers for information leading to the arrests of Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, and Vladimir Padrino López, all accused of criminal narcotrafficking and undermining Venezuela’s democracy.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended Venezuela’s designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months due to the country’s ongoing political and economic crises.
The G7 reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a peaceful, Venezuelan-led, and democratic transition. “We remain committed to working with Venezuelans and the international community to ensure that the democratic will of the Venezuelan people is respected,” the statement concluded.
The international community, including the EU, Canada, and the UK, also expressed their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reinforced efforts to exert pressure on Maduro’s regime to respect the will of the people and transition to democracy.
