The Twenty-seven ignore the European Parliament and avoid recognizing Guaidó as interim president

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, with the Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, during the Council.POOL / Reuters

The Twenty-seven have again avoided recognizing Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela and, instead, have highlighted him as one of the “privileged and important interlocutors” of the country's opposition, thus the pressure of the European Parliament on the capitals has not taken effect.

The EU Foreign Ministers have again regretted the holding of the legislative elections on January 6 in Venezuela, whose validity they reject, and insisted that the only way out of the crisis is to resume "political negotiations" for a transition to "credible, inclusive and transparent" elections for all levels of government.

The conclusions adopted this Monday by the heads of European Foreign Affairs confirm the statement that the EU already issued after the constitution of the new National Assembly, controlled by Chavismo.

The council of ministers reiterated that the EU cannot recognize the December elections, regretted that the Nicolás Maduro regime continues to reduce the “democratic space” in Venezuela and insisted on its support for the opposition.

However, he ignored the appeal of the European Parliament, which last week passed a resolution calling for capitals to recognize Guaidó as acting president.

The EU refuses to give him status or continue to regard him as President of the Assembly.

Instead, the ministers demand from Maduro “the freedom and security” of all the “political opponents”, especially the representatives of the opposition parties elected in 2015, “and especially Juan Guaidó, as well as other representatives of the democratic opposition. ”.

Community sources explained that the extension of the recognition of Guaidó's mandate as president of the Assembly raises problems not only in the ordering of European countries, but also in Latin America.

For this reason, the EU chose by consensus to highlight the relevant role of Guaidó but not as president of the Assembly.

Spain highlights the position of "all at once"

The ministers also asked the Venezuelan opposition for unity in view of "an inclusive process of dialogue and negotiation."

To Maduro, the heads of European diplomacy warned that they will be "particularly attentive" to any act of "repression" that he may carry out, especially against the opposition, civil society or journalists.

“Human rights must be respected.

There is no way out of the political crisis in Venezuela if its citizens fear arrest and persecution, including those of their families, for exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms, ”the document states.

The Foreign Minister, Arancha González Laya, has assured that the conclusions of this Monday confirm the statement of last January 6, which recalled that it is "a joint position of the Twenty-seven, all at the same time" and the one that Spain also maintains.

González Laya urged to "look to the future" and work on three main fronts: support for the opposition, humanitarian response and the promotion of a "political solution within the country."

The Twenty-seven also pledged to continue working within the international contact group and to coordinate with the Lima Group and the new Joe Biden Administration, which could adopt a new approach to Venezuela.