MEPs call for restoration of democracy and access for aid as riots fill the streets of Caracas and citizens suffer food and medicine shortages.

Venezuela in tailspin

Collapsing economic and civil conditions  in Venezuela

Riots, food and medicine shortages, crime

and the imprisonment  of government opponents

are the result in part of a conflict between  the government of President Maduro

and the opposition-dominated parliament.

What is needed is for the Maduro regime  to accept humanitarian help

so we don’t take the risk that the state  of emergency ends up in a coup d’état.

If the military are tempted,  it could happen, or civil war.

In the era of the late revolutionary leader,  Hugo Chávez,

but with the recent collapse of oil prices,

the economy and welfare of the people  have fallen dramatically.

Failure to manage Venezuela's economy  could be blamed on the government

which has been in power  over the last 15 years,

thinking that oil could finance everything.  This dried up.

and unfortunately the economic model  doesn't meet the country's expenses.

A Resolution was approved in plenary  by a majority of MEPs in the EP

calling for the release  of political prisoners,

for the government to allow  humanitarian aid in

and for a clear separation of powers  in order to restore democracy.