MEPs debate the situation in Venezuela during the plenary session (30-31 january 2019) in Brussels. The debate is to be wound up with a resolution, to be voted on Thursday where the EP will be the first EU institution to officially recognize Juan Guaidó as the only legitimate President of the country. Statements by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (EPP, ES), Javier NART (ALDE, ES) and Ramón JÁUREGUI ATONDO (S&D, ES).

Brussels

debate

plenary session

respect for human rights in the world (T)

JÁUREGUI ATONDO, Ramón (S&D, ES)

GONZÁLEZ PONS, Esteban (EPP, ES)

NART, Javier (Renew, ES)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

EU - Venezuela (T)

Situation in Venezuela: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, In case new presidential election will not be announced we Europeans will take further action, including on the issue of recognition of the country's leadership. The European Union fully supports the National Assembly. Right now it is the only legitimate political body that has been democratically elected by the people of Venezuela. The powers of the National Assembly need to be restored in line with the constitution of Venezuela.

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, We believe it is important that regional international actors work together to open up the space for a political process inside Venezuela. It should be clear to everyone that military intervention would only make things worse. The solution to this crisis must come from the people of Venezuela.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Esteban GONZ&#193;LEZ PONS (EPP, ES), <p>We are asking this House for three things. First of all we want to let to be recognition of the National Assembly and the interim President Juan Guaido, as the only legitimate powers in Venezuela. Second, we are asking for the armed forces in Venezuela to organize a peaceful transition of powers and to show loyalty to the Constitution and the Venezuelan people. Thirdly we would like to provide an emergency package of assistance to the new authorities to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.</p>

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Esteban GONZ&Aacute;LEZ PONS (EPP, ES), We are Europeans but nevertheless Venezuelan history is part of ours. We have to recognize democratic and legitimate powers in Venezuela and let us be the first institution in the European Union that fully recognizes democracy in Venezuela. Let's change the regime. Let us help for that regime change to happen. Tyrants must never be able to prevail over democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Javier NART (ALDE, ES), All mediations have failed, we have to be clear and firm from this Parliament, and tomorrow we're going to do that. Tomorrow we're going to vote for the recognition of the legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ram&#243;n J&#193;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), <p>The agreement that we'll be voting on tomorrow from all political groups includes a rejection of any kind of intervention that may take place in terms of armed intervention. And it's very important to emphasize that because we have to reject and condemn any proposal that implies any kind of military force in order to find a supposed solution to the crisis.</p>