The European Union (EU), the United States and Canada issued a joint statement this Friday (25.06.2021) in which they open the door to “review the sanctions” imposed against Venezuela if there is “a significant progress in a global negotiation” which repair “the institutions of the country” and allow free elections.

The joint statement is the clearest indication yet of US President Joe Biden’s administration’s willingness to consider lifting sanctions imposed on Venezuela for attacks on democracy and human rights in the South American country.

The statement, signed by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau also stress that the solution to the political conflict in Venezuela “must come from the Venezuelan people themselves, through global negotiations with the participation of all interested parties”.

Release of “wrongfully detained”

Borrell, Blinken and Garneau stated that “a comprehensive and time-limited negotiation process should restore the country’s institutions and allow all Venezuelans to express themselves politically through credible, inclusive and transparent”.

“We applaud the substantial and credible progress in restoring Venezuela’s democratic processes and fundamental institutions and are willing to review the sanctions policy based on meaningful progress in a global negotiation,” they added.

The three diplomatic representatives also demand the release of “all persons unjustly detained for political reasons, the independence of political parties, freedom of expression, including that of members of the press, and an end to human rights violations. the man”.

Finally, they demand that the electoral conditions in the country respect “international democratic standards”, starting with the local and regional elections scheduled for 21 November.

mg (ef, afp)