Resolution on the political disqualifications in Venezuela

The European Parliament adopted by 495 votes to 25, with 43 abstentions, a resolution on the political disqualifications in Venezuela.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

Venezuela is experiencing institutional, economic and political instability with over seven million people forced to leave the country. Public information, freedom of opinion and expression and the right to assembly have been systematically restricted.

The resolution stated that three principal rectors of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) have resigned, forcing the two remaining ones to resign, and the illegitimate National Assembly has appointed representatives of the regime to select the new rectors. This is yet another move by the regime, through the CNE, to hamper the electoral process and quash any prospect of a return to democracy.

The arbitrary and politically fabricated disqualifications of candidates, like the 15-year disqualification of María Corina Machado and those of other prominent political figures such as Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano, go against the recommendations of the EU election observation mission (EOM) and severely restrict Venezuelans’ rights to choose their representatives.

Parliament strongly condemned the arbitrary and unconstitutional decision to prevent prominent political opposition figures like María Corina Machado, Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano, among other candidates, from running in the 2024 elections, a ballot which could have constituted a turning point towards a return to democracy in the country.

While recognising the efforts of the opposition to the regime to organise primary elections as a democratic solution for Venezuelans domestically and abroad, Parliament urged the Venezuelan authorities to provide the conditions to ensure fair, free, inclusive and transparent elections. It called for an independent nomination procedure for CNE appointments.

Parliament also fully supported the International Criminal Court investigations into the alleged crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime and urged the authorities to release all political prisoners.

Parliament deplored the fact that the recommendations of the EU EOM are being ignored and encourages all efforts towards their full implementation. It also stressed that the upcoming EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit represents an opportunity to uphold the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights.