The Government of Spain condemns the acts of violence and repression that have led to many deaths in recent hours, in addition to the more than 100 Venezuelans killed in protests generated by the deterioration in the political and economic situation and in favour of democracy in Venezuela.
The assembly deriving from the vote on Sunday, 30 July does not represent the majority will of the people of Venezuela, it is not attributed with legislative powers that correspond to a national assembly pursuant to the Constitution and does not provide a solution to the serious problems of political confrontation and the humanitarian crisis that is ravishing the country. Spain will not recognise a constituent assembly that does not derive from a broad national consensus, elected pursuant to democratic rules of universal suffrage under conditions of free, equal, direct and secret voting. Accordingly, it cannot recognise or validate the legal acts emanating from any such constituent assembly.
Spain once again urges the Government of Venezuela to initiate a sincere process of negotiation with the legitimate and constitutional democratic institutions in Venezuela, such as the National Assembly, and which allows for a broad consensus that respects the constitutional framework and guarantees the separation of powers, human rights and democracy.
The Government of Spain will study, together with its partners in the European Union and similarly minded countries in the region, such additional measures as may prove effective in fostering the restoration of democratic and constitutional institutionalism in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación