The European Union (EU) has expressed deep concern over the Venezuelan presidential elections held on July 28th, stating that they did not meet international standards of electoral integrity. International election observation missions have concluded that the elections were not conducted in a transparent and fair manner.

Despite the EU's commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) has not yet released the official voting records. This lack of transparency raises doubts about the credibility of the results announced by the CNE on August 2nd, which cannot be recognized without supporting evidence.

In a significant development, copies of the electoral voting records published by the opposition and reviewed by independent organizations indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia appears to be the clear winner of the presidential elections. These findings highlight the importance of conducting further independent verification of the electoral records, preferably by a reputable international entity.

The EU emphasizes the need for peaceful demonstrations and protests during this critical time, calling for calm and restraint among the Venezuelan population. The EU also stresses that Venezuelan authorities, including security forces, must fully respect human rights such as freedom of expression and assembly.

The EU has expressed serious concern about the increasing number of arbitrary detentions and continued harassment of the opposition in Venezuela. They call on Venezuelan authorities to put an end to such practices, including violent rhetoric, and to release all political prisoners.

The EU welcomes the efforts of regional partners to promote dialogue and a negotiated solution to the crisis, maintaining close contact with them. Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only viable path towards restoring democracy and finding a solution to the country's ongoing humanitarian and socio-economic crisis.

The EU has called for independent verification of the contested electoral records, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability. The international community will be closely watching developments in Venezuela as the country faces crucial decisions regarding its future.