The EU reiterated its “extreme concern” about Venezuela and rejected judicial support for Maduro

The European Union has reiterated this Saturday its “extreme concern” about the situation in Venezuela following the elections of July 28 and, in a harsh statement on behalf of the 27 member states, has rejected the support provided by the Venezuelan justice system to the victory of Nicolás Maduro.

In a letter signed by Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU believes that the evidence provided by Chavismo is still not enough to justify the re-election of the Venezuelan president.

“To date, the Venezuelan authorities have not made public the evidence needed to evaluate whether the electoral process took place in accordance with the standards outlined by a panel of UN experts,” Borrell said in a statement on behalf of the EU.

This week, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), controlled by judges affiliated with Chavismo, confirmed Maduro’s dubious victory in the elections held on July 28 against rival Edmundo González Urrutia. In its decision, the Court assured that it had “clearly” carried out its review of the elections.

In response to the support issued this week by the Venezuelan justice system, the EU affirms that the country’s National Electoral Committee is “the only entity legally and constitutionally responsible for making official electoral results public in a transparent manner”.

Borrell reiterated, “Only complete and verifiable results by an independent body can be accepted and it can be guaranteed that the opinion of the Venezuelan people is respected.”

The Venezuelan prosecutor’s office summoned González Urrutia on Monday for alleged “conspiracy”

While various international organizations reiterate the need to see the electoral record to recognize Maduro’s victory, the Venezuelan regime continues to put pressure on opponents. Venezuela’s Public Ministry has summoned Maduro’s rival Edmundo González Urrutia next Monday for an investigation against him.

The prosecutor’s office is investigating an alleged “conspiracy” and other crimes linked to the electoral fraud complaint committed by the anti-Chavismo, including “the alleged commission of crimes of usurpation of functions, forgery of public documents, inciting disobedience to the law, computer crimes, criminal association and conspiracy.”

IACHR calls for maintaining pressure on Venezuela: “When there is silence it will be too late”

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has condemned the development of the electoral process in the last elections and asked the international community not to ease pressure on Venezuela. “When there is silence, it will be too late,” Gloria Monique de Meis, the organization’s envoy for that country, told EFE agency.

“The moment there is silence on the part of the international community, on the part of the countries of the inter-American system, it will be too late.” In the meantime, he urged in a telephone interview, “there is hope.”

The IACHR rapporteur denounces the legality and integrity of that decision. “First of all, because the verification of the electoral results is outside its mandate and jurisdiction,” said De Mees, who took office for a four-year term in January.

The IACHR has already demanded the immediate restoration of the democratic system and the rule of law in Venezuela or access to public electoral information through the dissemination of all minutes, among other demands. Not publishing the minutes, says De Meis, is “a clear sign” that an attempt is being made to “strengthen the power of the regime.”