The European Parliament adopted by 480 votes to 51, with 70 abstentions a resolution on Venezuela.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, ECR and ALDE groups.
Parliament deplored the unilateral decision by the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly, which is recognised neither internationally nor by the EU, to call early presidential elections by the end of April 2018, and also deeply deplored the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s recent ruling prohibiting MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) representatives from standing in the upcoming elections.
Members insisted that only elections based on a viable electoral calendar, agreed in the context of the national dialogue with all relevant actors and political parties, and respecting equal, fair and transparent conditions of participation will be recognised by the EU. They recalled their readiness to send an Electoral Observation Mission if all the necessary conditions are met.
Under these circumstances, Parliament felt that and the sanctions levied against seven Venezuelan officials on 22 January 2018 should be extended against those mainly responsible for the increased political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis, namely the President, the Vice-President, the Minister of Defence, members of the high military command, and members of their inner circles, including family members. Furthermore, if the human rights situation continues to deteriorate, further diplomatic and economic actions could be adopted, including those related to the state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.
Parliament called on the Venezuelan Government to restore the full constitutional authority of the National Assembly and rejected any decisions taken by the National Constituent Assembly. It wanted to see the ICC Prosecutor, under the Rome Statute provisions, open investigations into the human rights violations perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime, and called for the EU to play an active role in this regard.
The resolution goes on to call on the Venezuelan authorities to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid as a matter of urgency, and to grant permission to international organisations that wish to assist the public. It wanted to see the rapid implementation of a short-term response to counter malnutrition among the most vulnerable groups, such as children.
Lastly, Parliament strongly condemned the decision by the Venezuelan authorities to expel the Spanish Ambassador in Caracas and declare him ‘persona non grata’. It called for full solidarity with Spain and insisted that the Venezuelan Government immediately restore its normal diplomatic relations with Spain.