EU Rejects Venezuela Election Results Due to Lack of Transparency
- The EU refuses to acknowledge the election outcome in Venezuela.
- Venezuela's election results lack transparency according to the EU.
- Caracas failed to provide necessary voting records, leading to EU's rejection.
Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union has officially declared that it does not recognize the results of Venezuela's recent presidential election, citing the Caracas government's failure to release essential voting records from polling stations. The EU Council's press release highlighted that international election observation missions found the July 28 elections did not meet established standards for electoral integrity. Concerns have been raised regarding the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE), which has yet to publish the official voting records, known as "actas." Reports from opposition sources and independent organizations suggest that Edmundo González Urrutia emerged as the clear winner of the elections. The EU has called for independent verification of these electoral records by a reputable international entity to ensure transparency. In light of the ongoing political tensions, the EU has urged Venezuelan leaders and security forces to uphold human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The organization has condemned arbitrary detentions and the repression of opposition members, calling for the release of all political prisoners as a step towards restoring democratic norms. The EU also expressed support for regional partners working towards dialogue and a negotiated resolution to Venezuela's crisis. Emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the Venezuelan people, the EU believes this is crucial for addressing the country's humanitarian and socio-economic challenges.