On Monday in Brussels, European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper stated that the European Union does not recognise the mandate of Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president of Venezuela earlier this month. Despite this, Hipper indicated that the EU will continue to engage in “limited contacts” with Venezuelan authorities to safeguard its interests.
Hipper emphasised that the European Union does not recognise the legitimacy of Rodriguez’s mandate, as it does not with Nicolas Maduro’s leadership. She remarked, “We have consistently asserted that the Venezuelan authorities derive their mandate from an electoral process that did not genuinely reflect the will of the people seeking democratic change.”
In light of the current situation, the EU will proceed as it has in the past, maintaining targeted and limited communication with Venezuelan authorities to uphold its interests and values. The European Commission has reiterated that the future of Venezuela should be determined through dialogue, fostering democratic change with the involvement of democratically elected opposition leaders, including Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado.
In addition, the spokeswoman declined to comment on the potential reconsideration of EU sanctions against Rodriguez. These sanctions were imposed in 2017 by a decision of the EU Council, targeting individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, as well as threats to democracy in Venezuela. Rodriguez, at that time serving as vice president, was accused of actions against the opposition that hindered their participation in the political process.
“When it comes to sanctions, all decisions are taken unanimously by member states. I cannot anticipate or prejudge any of these decisions,” the spokeswoman said.
On Saturday, U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia, transferring them to the United States. A federal court in New York formally charged them on Monday with involvement in a “narcoterrorist conspiracy” and the importation of cocaine into the United States. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.