On further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado
B-9-2024-0104
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Jordi Solé, Henrike Hahn, Francisco Guerreiro, Bronis Ropė, Nicolae Ştefănuță
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Parliament's resolution on repression against democratic forces in Venezuela focuses on the disqualification of presidential candidate María Corina Machado. It calls on Venezuelan authorities to respect the October 2023 primary result, implement the Barbados Agreement, guarantee free elections and invite international observers.¶¶¶ It also urges Venezuela to implement the 2021 EU election observation mission's recommendations, including ending the Comptroller General's power to disqualify candidates administratively, and asks the EEAS, member states and the EU Delegation to support human rights defenders and civil society.¶¶
Key points
- Parliament is deeply concerned by the continuous use of administrative sanctions and the judicial system to disqualify opposition candidates from the presidential election.¶
- It calls on Venezuelan authorities to respect the outcome of the presidential primary elections organised by the Plataforma Unitaria and held in October 2023.¶
- It calls on Venezuelan authorities to fully implement the Barbados Agreement, including promptly establishing an electoral calendar, and on all parties to remain at the negotiating table.¶
- It urges Venezuelan authorities to guarantee fair, free, competitive, inclusive and transparent elections and to respect the decision of Venezuelans when they vote.¶
- It calls on Venezuelan authorities to invite international observers, including the European Union, to observe future presidential elections, and on the EEAS to ensure broad monitoring and reporting.¶
- It calls on Venezuelan authorities to implement the 2021 EU election observation mission's recommendations, in particular abolishing the Comptroller General's prerogative to strip citizens of the right to stand for election administratively.¶
- It calls on the EEAS, member states and the EU Delegation to Venezuela to prioritise human rights, democracy and the rule of law and to provide logistical and financial support to human rights defenders and civil society.¶
Who is affected
- Venezuelan authorities, who are called on to respect the primary result, implement the Barbados Agreement and guarantee free elections.¶¶¶
- The EEAS, member states and the EU Delegation to Venezuela, asked to prioritise human rights and support civil society.¶
- International observers, including the European Union, invited to observe future presidential elections.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 15 years — period for which María Corina Machado was disqualified from holding public office, announced on 30 June 2023.¶
- 15 years — period confirmed by Venezuela's Supreme Court on 26 January 2024 for María Corina Machado's disqualification from public functions.¶
- October 2023 — month of the opposition primary election in which María Corina Machado was elected as the opposition candidate.¶
- 2024 — year in which the Barbados Agreement commits to holding a free and fair vote.¶
- 21 November 2021 — date of the regional and municipal elections observed by the EU election observation mission.¶