The European Union has called for greater transparency in Venezuela’s presidential election, denouncing “irregularities” in the process. Despite concerns over the legitimacy of the results, the EU spokesperson stated that calls for new sanctions are premature at this stage. The National Electoral Council declared Nicolás Maduro the winner, but opposition candidate Edmundo González and his supporters have disputed the results, claiming victory based on tally sheets. The aftermath of the election has resulted in escalating tensions, with protests and clashes between opposition supporters and the police.
In a statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the need for transparency in the election results was emphasized. Borrell called on the CNE to release detailed voting records for verification. However, Hungary blocked a joint EU statement criticizing the election irregularities, leading Borrell to release the statement on his own.
This is not the first time Hungary has vetoed a joint EU initiative, having previously blocked a statement denouncing the Kremlin’s media ban. The veto could hinder efforts to strengthen sanctions against Maduro’s regime. Current EU penalties against Venezuela date back to 2017 and include an arms export prohibition and a blacklist of individuals accused of undermining democracy in the country.
Amidst the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela, the EU continues to monitor the situation and engage with international partners to assess the next steps. Calls for calm and respect for human rights have been emphasized in the wake of the election results.
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