Crisis in Venezuela: Foreign Office statement, 17 June 2020

The UK is concerned at new steps by the Maduro regime that further subvert democratic process in Venezuela. We repeat our call for peaceful and democratic resolution of the political crisis in the country and early presidential elections.

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesperson said:

The United Kingdom is deeply concerned at the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s decision to announce the appointment of members to the National Electoral Council (CNE) on 12 June without the approval of the National Assembly, in clear contravention of Venezuela’s Constitution.

Presidential elections in 2018 elections were not free, fair or credible. Since January 2019 the United Kingdom has been clear and consistent in its recognition of Juan Guaidó as the interim constitutional President of Venezuela.

It is vital that the people of Venezuela should be given the opportunity to vote soon in presidential elections that are free, fair and effectively overseen. The UK considers this an essential step to ending the political and other crises that Venezuela is suffering and to restoring democracy.

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