MEPs call on the Council to unequivocally recognise Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela, and welcome the recent extension of EU sanctions.
22 Jan 2021 / 00:13 H.
(Updates with vote tally, background)
By Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - The European Parliament called on EU governments to recognise Juan Guaido as Venezuela s interim president in a resolution on Thursday, after a downgrade of his status by the bloc earlier this month.
The EU s 27 states said on Jan. 6 they can no longer legally recognise Guaido as the country s legitimate head of state after he lost his position as head of parliament, despite the EU not recognising legislative elections in December.
The resolution, which was approved with 391 votes in favour, 114 against and 177 abstentions, is not legally binding but carries political weight.
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.
MEPs call on the Council to unequivocally recognise Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela, and welcome the recent extension of EU sanctions.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday by 391 votes for, 114 against and 177 abstentions, MEPs state that they do not recognise the legitimacy or legality of the “fraudulent National Assembly established on 5th January, 2021 on the basis of (…) non-democratic elections”. MEPs call on the Council and EU member states to unequivocally recognise the constitutional continuation of the 2015 legitimate National Assembly of Venezuela and the legitimate interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó.
The European Parliament called on EU governments to recognise Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president in a resolution on Thursday (21 January), after a downgrade of his status by the bloc earlier this month.