The political disqualifications in Venezuela

Parliament strongly condemns the Venezuelan regime’s arbitrary and unconstitutional decision to prevent prominent political opposition figures like María Corina Machado, Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano from running in the 2024 elections, a ballot which could have constituted a turning point towards a return to democracy in the country. MEPs deplore the outright interference of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro’s government in the electoral process and the current serious restrictions on Venezuelans’ right to choose their political representatives. They urge the country’s authorities to provide the conditions to ensure a fair, free, inclusive and transparent vote.

With Venezuela ignoring the recommendations of the EU election observation mission while the country is experiencing continued institutional, economic and political instability, MEPs stress that the upcoming summit between the EU and the…