Venezuela - Meeting of Jean-Yves Le Drian with Juan Guaidó (24 Jan.2020)

Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke on 24 January 2020 with Mr Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Acting President responsible for implementing an electoral process.

During the conversation, the Minister reaffirmed France’s support to Mr Guaidó following his re-election as President of the National Assembly on 5 January, despite intimidations aimed at obstructing the proper functioning of the election.

The Minister highlighted the priority of seeking a political solution to the Venezuelan crisis, which requires free, transparent and credible elections to be held. He called for the rights of the Venezuelans, the main victims of the current crisis, to be respected, and for them to be able to choose their destiny freely. The Minister also stressed the importance of implementing the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the release of all political prisoners.

He recalled the efforts of the International Contact Group, which France and several European and Latin American partners set up to foster the settlement of a crisis which has regional repercussions. The International Contact Group seeks to support initiatives to encourage dialogue, which can only be successful if it is inclusive and held in good faith.

The Minister said that he would take initiatives in liaison with the High Representative of the European Union and his European counterparts to further strengthen the diplomatic efforts of the European Union to create the conditions for an end to the crisis.