The G7 foreign ministers and the European Union’s High Representative have issued a joint statement rejecting Nicolas Maduro’s presidential inauguration in Venezuela today, citing its lack of democratic legitimacy. The statement points to the July 28, 2024 election, where independent observers and public electoral records showed Venezuelans voted decisively for change.
The joint declaration expresses deep concern over the intensifying crackdown on civil society and opposition figures. Opposition leader María Corina Machado faces ongoing persecution, while Edmundo González Urrutia, who received what credible sources indicate was a clear majority of votes in July, has been forced into exile.
The G7 ministers voiced alarm about Maduro’s continuous breaches of democratic principles, rule of law, and human rights. They specifically called out the arbitrary arrests and abuse of civilians, including children, youth, and activists, during peaceful protests following the election.
The humanitarian crisis has prompted a continuing exodus of Venezuelans seeking safety and better living conditions, affecting regional stability. Neighboring countries bear the weight of this mass migration.
The G7 ministers maintain that only a peaceful, democratic, and Venezuelan-led solution can resolve the crisis. They pledged to collaborate with Venezuelans and international partners to uphold the democratic will expressed in the July election and establish a peaceful transfer of power.
The statement came from the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the EU’s High Representative.
