Spain supports EU observation mission to Venezuela because the elections

Spain will endorse the proposal to send a European Union (EU) electoral observation mission to Venezuela this Monday in Brussels, considering the upcoming presidential elections to be “competitive”. Despite the Maduro regime’s historical persecution of opposition candidates, the EU believes there are minimum democratic conditions to deploy observers.

The European Union is finalizing preparations to send an observation mission to Venezuela, a decision led by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. Various diplomatic sources express optimism about this initiative, highlighting the potential for competitive elections. In Brussels, there is a focus on the participation of the main opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, who has the unanimous support of the opposition against Nicolás Maduro, aiming to extend his mandate until 2030.

An administrative agreement between Brussels and Venezuelan authorities is being finalized to detail the observer deployment, with Spain’s strong support. Borrell will discuss this issue with EU foreign ministers in their monthly meeting this Monday. Sources indicate there is no opposition within the EU to deploying observers, and it is believed the mission could facilitate electoral participation and prevent abuses by Venezuelan authorities.

Spain, the forefront of this effort with Venezuela elections

Spain is at the forefront of this effort, believing the EU should take a pragmatic approach to facilitate a “democratic reunion” in Venezuela through electoral observation. The opposition’s request for the EU to oversee the electoral process, despite obstacles set by Caracas, has been crucial. The Venezuelan government has blocked the candidacy of opposition leader María Corina Machado and her designated substitute, Corina Yoris.

Josep Borrell has emphasized the necessity for the EU to be present during the elections to closely monitor the situation. María Corina Machado, winner of the primaries but disqualified by the Chavista Supreme Court, also calls for international observers to verify the reality of the elections in Venezuela.

To assess the feasibility of sending observers, the EU dispatched an exploratory mission of technicians to Venezuela last April. The final decision on deploying the electoral observation mission will be made by the High Representative, following the precedent set during the regional and municipal elections of November 2021.