MEPs recognise Edmundo González as Venezuela’s president

Process in Brief

Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday 19 September by 309 votes in favour, 201 against and 12 abstentions, strongly condemning electoral fraud by the regime-controlled National Electoral Council and recognising Edmundo González Urrutia as Venezuela’s legitimate and democratically elected president.

What Is at Stake

MEPs also recognise María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces, condemn the issuance of an arrest warrant for Mr González and note that international observation reports found the 28 July 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards; they say the Maduro government failed to respect the 2023 Barbados Agreement and call for an end to murders, harassment, violations and arrests against the opposition and civil society. Parliament urges the EU to reinstate sanctions on National Electoral Council members, prolong regime sanctions and expand targeted measures through the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Nicolás Maduro and his inner circle, and welcomes the role of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico while warning of a renewed migratory exodus similar to the near eight million who have already fled.

Timeline

The resolution was adopted on Thursday 19 September.