Venezuela - Opposition politician Leopoldo López: »Europe must not poke around«

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Protests in Caracas: "Maduro is the most hated person in Venezuela"

Photo: Ariana Cubillos / AP

SPIEGEL:

The United States and the European Union had hoped that the recognition of the President of Parliament Juan Guaidó as interim head of state would bring about regime change in Venezuela.

But now the European Union has withdrawn that title from him.

Did your strategy for change in Venezuela fail?

Leopoldo López:

The decision-making processes in the European Union are complex and have to be unanimous for full recognition as interim president.

This was not possible last year because Italy and Cyprus were against it, even though everyone else had agreed, including the European Parliament.

Now it depends on each individual member state how they define their relationship with Guaidó and the National Assembly.

Like the EU and the USA, we do not recognize the parliamentary elections in December because they did not meet the minimum democratic requirements, they were manipulated and therefore falsified.

This means that the new assembly, supported by Maduro, has no legitimacy either.

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