EU ‘extremely concerned’ about post-election crisis in Venezuela

by dpa | 26.Aug 2024 | Europe in brief

More EU news is available on the wire services of the respective news agency.

The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has urged the Venezuelan election authority to release the official voting records of the disputed July 28 election, in which the socialist Nicolás Maduro claimed victory despite demonstrations against the result.

Demonstrators take part in a rally with Venezuelan flags. The opposition had called for the demonstration to protest against President Maduro after the election.
Demonstrators take part in a rally with Venezuelan flags. The opposition had called for the demonstration to protest against President Maduro after the election. Photo: Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa
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Brussels (dpa) – The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, on Sunday released a statement saying the bloc “remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezuela,” following a disputed presidential election in the South American country.

Borrell’s statement follows the decision by the Venezuelan Supreme Court last Thursday to confirm government claims that the socialist and incumbent President Nicolás Maduro won the July 28 election.

But countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica have recognised opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the true winner, alleging electoral fraud.

In a statement issued on behalf of the EU on Sunday, Borrell urged Venezuela’s election authority to “publish and independently verify” the voting records or “actas” of all polling stations. “The reviewed ‘actas’ published by the opposition exhibit the security features of the original result protocols, thereby confirming their reliability,” Borrell said.

“According to the publicly available copies of the ‘actas,’ Edmundo González Urrutia would appear to be the winner of the presidential election by a significant majority, the bloc’s top diplomat said”

“Venezuelan authorities must respect the right of all Venezuelans to peacefully demonstrate and freely express their political opinions without fear of reprisal,” he added. “They must refrain from using excessive force, end the repression and harassment of the opposition and civil society, and release all political prisoners.”

Earlier this month, a United Nations report said at least 1,260 people had been detained and 23 killed since the election amid “fierce repression by the state.” Maduro himself said on August 3 that 2,000 people had been detained and would be punished. “This time there will be no pardon,” he told his supporters. (25 August)

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