Venezuela Blocks EU Election Observers Over Sanctions

Jorge Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Congress leader, announced on Tuesday that the European Union (EU) is barred from participating in any electoral observation in Venezuela.

This rule applies as long as the EU’s sanctions on Venezuela are active. Recently, the EU chose to extend these sanctions against Venezuela.

Following this, Venezuela’s Congress unanimously agreed to denounce the EU’s ongoing sanctions.

Rodríguez, also a government representative in talks with the opposition, made his stance clear.

He said that the EU would be barred from observing elections in Venezuela if sanctions exist. He referred to the October 17 agreements in Barbados.

These agreements, made during talks with the opposition, call for lifting sanctions on Venezuela.

After that, the EU could be an observer in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential elections.

He emphasized that any Venezuelan sanctioned by the EU, even mildly, means the EU breaks laws and agreements.

Rodríguez criticized the EU for acting inappropriately towards Venezuela.

He labeled the EU’s decision as crude and noted that European companies, like those from Italy and Hungary, want Venezuelan oil and gas.

This is despite the sanctions on some Venezuelans.

He showed concern that the EU sanctions include members of Venezuela’s Congress and the head of the National Electoral Council.

These individuals are important for future agreements with the EU. Rodríguez concluded by saying the EU must be fair and respectful to improve relations with Venezuela.

They should acknowledge Venezuela’s right to govern itself.

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