EU slams Venezuela’s election process, demands release of political prisoners

The European Union has once again rejected the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s democratically elected president.

EU diplomatic chief, Kaja Kallas, issued a statement on January 10, explaining that Maduro's re-election cannot be recognized due to the lack of transparency in the voting process, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Kallas said, "As the authorities refused to publish official protocols from polling stations, the announced results remain unverified and cannot be recognized as representing the will of the people."

The EU emphasized that the Venezuelan authorities "missed a key opportunity to respect the will of the people and ensure a transparent democratic transition with guarantees for all," the statement reads.

The EU also condemned the government’s actions since the election, noting the increased repression and persecution of opposition figures, civil society, and their families. "The authorities have intensified repression and persecution, imprisoning dissenters and forcing their citizens to live in fear or go into exile," the statement added.

In response, the EU called on the Venezuelan government to “put an end to all unjust and arbitrary detentions, including those with dual and foreign citizenship, and unconditionally release all political prisoners.”

The EU also welcomed the return of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to Caracas, describing it as "a step in the right direction." The statement urged Venezuela to engage "fully, constructively, and effectively" with the OHCHR, the UN independent international fact-finding mission to Venezuela, the International Criminal Court, and relevant regional mechanisms.

Kallas further highlighted that the EU Council had decided to impose a new package of targeted sanctions against 15 individuals "responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law, or human rights in Venezuela."

The inauguration of Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela's re-elected president took place on January 10 at the National Assembly in Caracas.

By Tamilla Hasanova