Venezuela: The EU must expand its sanctions against Maduro’s regime after the jailing of new members of the opposition

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament strongly condemns the Maduro regime's recent crackdown on Venezuelan opposition leaders, including Roberto Abdul, one of the organizers of the opposition primaries of October 22, jailed for "treason to the homeland".

Three collaborators of the Vente Venezuela party, Claudia Macero, Pedro Urruchurtu and Henry Alviárez have arrest warrants issued on their names. The party leader, María Corina Machado, has been constantly harassed by the authorities since she was elected presidential candidate of the opposition in the October primaries. Her candidacy depends on the lifting of the disqualification that prevents Machado from running for public office, for the 2024 elections.

MEP, Jordi Cañas (Ciudadanos, Spain), First Vice-President of the EUROLAT Parliamentary Assembly and Renew Europe Group’s Eurolat Coordinator, added:

“María Corina and her collaborators can count with the unconditional support of the European Parliament to ensure that democracy returns to Venezuela in 2024.”

Renew Europe MEP, Dita Charanzová (ANO, Czech Republic), Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for relations with Latin America, said:

“The Maduro regime keeps violating the human rights and freedoms of Venezuelan people, persecuting political leaders and NGOs. The EU must stand firmly with the Venezuelan opposition and support them in their fight for a better and democratic future. This can only be achieved by free and fair elections.”