Motion for a resolution - B9-0050/2020Motion for a resolution
B9-0050/2020
European Parliament

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela after the attempt of the illegal election of the new National Assembly Presidency and Bureau (parliamentary coup)

13.1.2020 - (2020/2507(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 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Kati Piri, Javi López
on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0048/2020

Procedure : 2020/2507(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B9-0050/2020
Texts tabled :
B9-0050/2020
Debates :
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Texts adopted :

B9‑0050/2020

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Venezuela after the attempt of the illegal election of the new National Assembly Presidency and Bureau (parliamentary coup)

(2020/2507(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela, in particular those of 27 February 2014 on the situation in Venezuela[1], of 18 December 2014 on the persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela[2], of 12 March 2015 on the situation in Venezuela[3], of 8 June 2016 on the situation in Venezuela[4], of 27 April 2017 on the situation in Venezuela[5], of 8 February 2018 on the situation in Venezuela[6], of 3 May 2018 on the elections in Venezuela[7], of 5 July 2018 on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil[8], of 25 October 2018 on the situation in Venezuela[9], of 31 January 2019 on the situation in Venezuela[10], 28 March 2019 on the emergency situation in Venezuela[11], and of 18 July 2019 on the situation in Venezuela[12],

– having regard to the statement of 5 January 2020 by the Spokesperson on the events in the National Assembly and the declaration of 9 January 2020 by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on behalf of the EU on the latest developments on the National Assembly,

– having regard to the statement of 9 January 2020 by the International Contact Group on Venezuela,

– having regard to the resolution of the Organisation of American States (OAS) of 10 January 2020 entitled ‘Regarding recent events in Venezuela’,

– having regard to the statement of the Lima Group of 5 January 2020,

– having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1893 of 11 November 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela[13], which renews the targeted restrictive measures currently in place up to 14 November 2020,

– having regard to the Venezuelan Constitution,

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

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the EU, its Member States and the European Parliament have reiterated that the National Assembly is the only legitimate and democratically elected body in Venezuela; whereas according to Article 194 of the Venezuelan Constitution ‘the National Assembly shall elect among its members one President and two Vice-Presidents, as well as one Secretary and an Undersecretary, not member of the Assembly, for a term of one year’; whereas this election was due to take place on 5 January 2020;

B. whereas on 23 January 2019 the legitimately and democratically elected President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, was sworn in as the interim president of Venezuela, in accordance with Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution; whereas he has been recognised as interim President of Venezuela by over 50 countries, including most EU Member States, as well as by the EU itself;

C. whereas on 5 January 2020 the security forces of Nicolás Maduro’s regime prevented members of the National Assembly from meeting in order to proceed with the reshuffle of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly; whereas the area surrounding the legislative palace was totally militarised, with checkpoints blocking access; whereas armed colectivos operating in the vicinity assaulted and harassed members of the National Assembly, journalists and diplomatic representatives;

D. whereas, in a chaotic and tumultuous session, legislators from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), together with a number of opposition dissidents, elected Luis Parra as the new President of the National Assembly in clear violation of democratic norms; whereas the EU considers that the voting session that led to the election of Parra is not legitimate as it respects neither the proper procedures laid down in the regulations, such as the quorum, nor democratic constitutional principles;

E. whereas Juan Guaidó was violently barred from entering the chamber and this led to a special National Assembly session being held in the headquarters of El Nacional newspaper; whereas during this session, he was re-elected as President of the National Assembly by 100 legislators, thus comfortably exceeding the quorum of 84; whereas MPs Juan Pablo Guanipa and Carlos Berribeitia were elected first and second Vice‑Presidents, and Angelo Palmeri was appointed Secretary‑General;

F. whereas, in parallel, Nicolás Maduro recognised Luis Parra as legitimate President of the National Assembly and announced talks to forge ahead with the conformation of a new National Electoral Council in order to call for parliamentary elections soon; whereas condemnation by the Lima Group quickly followed these events, with the OAS, the US, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Guatemala, Uruguay and Argentina not recognising Parra and reiterating their recognition of Guaidó as the legitimate President; whereas only Russia has recognised Parra as the legitimate President of the National Assembly;

G. whereas these events have further exacerbated the polarisation and political crisis that the country has been suffering, and whereas they have created further obstacles to the efforts towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the crisis; whereas Venezuela now has: one National Assembly with its duly elected Board; a parallel National Assembly board supported by the PSUV and a minority of the opposition; an illegal constituent assembly that has been usurping the functions of the National Assembly; a Supreme Tribunal composed by the regime with illegally appointed judges; a group of judges appointed by the National Assembly who have formed a ‘Supreme Tribunal in exile’; Juan Guaidó as interim President; and Nicolás Maduro claiming to be the Head of State;

H. whereas the EU remains convinced that a peaceful political democratic solution is the only sustainable way out of the Venezuelan crisis and is engaging with international and regional partners through the International Contact Group; whereas the previous attempts to address the crisis through a process of negotiation and dialogue have not yielded tangible results;

1. Extends its solidarity and full support to the people of Venezuela, who are suffering the effects of a severe humanitarian and political crisis;

2. Reiterates its full support to the National Assembly, which is currently the only legitimate democratic body of Venezuela and whose powers need to be restored and respected, including the prerogatives and safety of its members; expresses its full support to Juan Guaidó as the only legitimate President of the National Assembly;

3. Strongly rejects the violations of the democratic, constitutional and transparent functioning of the National Assembly, as well as the continuous acts of intimidation, bribery, extortion and violence, and the arbitrary decisions against its members;

4. Reaffirms its previous positions stating that a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution is the only sustainable way out of the current political impasse and the severe social and humanitarian crisis it has provoked;

5. Reiterates its previous calls on the Council to impose additional sanctions targeting the de facto state authorities responsible for human rights violations and repression; supports the EU’s statement to this effect;

6. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners: reiterates its previous calls to the Venezuelan Government to immediately end its repression of political leaders, journalists and members of the opposition;

7. Requests that the European External Action Service (EEAS) continue working through the International Contact Group in an effort to achieve a peaceful and democratic solution through free and fair presidential elections;

8. 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 President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the governments and parliaments of the Lima Group countries, the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States.

Last updated: 14 January 2020
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