The European Parliament recognized this Thursday (19) opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate and democratically elected president of Venezuela, in a non-binding text approved with the favorable votes of the European People’s Party, conservatives and the nationalist right.
The resolution, approved with 309 votes in favor, 201 against and 12 abstentions, also recognizes María Corina Machado as the leader of democratic forces in Venezuela and calls on the European Union (EU) and its member states – which have competence in foreign policy – to join in recognizing González Urrutia.
The proposal was presented by the European People’s Party, which has the most power in the EU legislative body, but was especially promoted by the Spanish popular delegation, which seeks to pressure the Executive of socialist Pedro Sánchez to follow the same path.
In addition to recognizing Venezuela’s opposition leaders, the approved resolution also calls on the EU and its member countries to issue an international arrest warrant against dictator Nicolás Maduro for crimes against humanity.
To date, no European Union government has formally recognized González Urrutia as Venezuela’s president-elect.
The most significant measure taken by the countries was to demand the release of the records of the July 28 elections, which only include the declaration by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of victory for Nicolás Maduro.
The opposition denounced electoral fraud, presenting the voting records on an independent website. Following this, the Chavista regime intensified its political persecution, which resulted in an arrest warrant for González, who left Venezuela and went into exile in Spain at the beginning of the month.
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