MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela

30.1.2019 - (2019/2543(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Jan Zahradil, Pirkko Ruohonen‑Lerner, Monica Macovei, Hans‑Olaf Henkel, Angel Dzhambazki, Ruža Tomašić on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0082/2019

B8‑0083/2019

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Venezuela

(2019/2543(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela, in particular those of 3 May 2018 on the presidential elections in Venezuela[1], of 5 July 2018 on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and its borders[2] and of 25 October 2018 on the situation in Venezuela[3],

–  having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,

–  having regard to the Venezuelan Constitution, in particular Article 233 thereof,

–  having regard to the declaration of 19 April 2018 by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on the situation in Venezuela,

–  having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the presidential elections in Venezuela, held on 20 May 2018, were conducted in a manner that did not comply with the minimum international standards for a credible process and failed to respect political pluralism, democracy, transparency and the rule of law; whereas the EU and other democratic countries and regional and international organisations did not recognise the election, its outcome or the authorities put in place by the illegitimate process;

B.  whereas Venezuela is facing an unprecedented social, economic and humanitarian crisis as a result of a political crisis;

C.  whereas on 10 January 2019, Nicolás Maduro, illegitimately and against the constitutional order, usurped presidential power in front of the Supreme Court of Justice;

D.  whereas on 23 January 2019, the legitimately and democratically elected president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, swore himself in as interim president of Venezuela, in line with Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution;

E.  whereas the EU has repeatedly called for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela through a credible political process;

1.  Expresses its solidarity with the people of Venezuela;

2.  Recognises Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in line with Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution;

3.  Calls on the VP/HR and the EU Member States to take a strong and unified position and to recognise Juan Guaidó as the only legitimate interim president of the country until new elections are announced; welcomes the fact that several democratic states have already recognised the new interim presidency;

4.  Strongly condemns the recent violence, killings and casualties and expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims; urges the Venezuelan authorities to halt all human rights violations and to hold those responsible to account, and to ensure that all fundamental freedoms and human rights are fully respected;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the legitimate interim President of the Republic and of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the governments and parliaments of the Lima Group, the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States.

 

• [1]  Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0199.
• [2]  Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0313.
• [3]  Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0436.