A statement by GUE/NGL on the current situation in Venezuela

GUE/NGL strongly condemns the attempted coup in Venezuela with the self-declaration by Juan Guaidó as ‘Interim President’ of the country – a position that does not exist in the current Venezuelan constitution – and the strategy to legitimise a foreign intervention in Venezuela.

GUE/NGL demands strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’état by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, the Council and member states, and to respect international law – namely the UN Charter principles – as well as the principle of non-intervention as expressed in their own recent communication regarding the situation on Venezuela.

GUE/NGL condemns the increased escalation of political interference, economic and financial blockade, diplomatic destabilisation and the continuing threats promoted by the US, the self-denominated Lima Group and the EU against Venezuela. We call for the lifting of economic and financial sanctions against Venezuela which have strongly contributed to the deterioration of the country’s economy.

GUE/NGL stands for the respect of the Venezuelan people’s will and human rights. It calls on the EU to not follow the irresponsible strategy taken by the US President, Donald Trump, and some countries from the so-called Lima Group which pretend to legitimise a foreign intervention in Venezuela instead of supporting and promoting peaceful and dialogued solutions to the situation.

Today, it is more necessary than ever that the EU stands firm in supporting the rule of law in Venezuela, and to support the invitation made by the President, Nicolás Maduro, in calling for the immediate convening of broad national political dialogues, recalling that any solution to the current political and economic situation must be solved by its national citizens – in line and in respect with its own legal framework and constitution.