G7 Countries Urge Venezuela to Uphold Democratic Norms in Presidential Elections

The G7 countries have expressed their concern over Venezuela’s decision to withdraw the invitation to the EU to observe the upcoming presidential elections on July 28. During their annual summit, they emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights of the opposition within the electoral process and stressed the need for a fair and inclusive election.

The National Electoral Council’s decision to exclude the European observation mission was criticized by the G7 countries, who viewed it as a hindrance to transparency and fairness in the election. The group also called for an end to harassment of opposition members and the immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela.

The upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela will see incumbent president Nicolas Maduro seeking a third term, with his main adversary being Edmundo González Urrutia. However, Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure, was disqualified from running for office. The G7’s stance reflects their commitment to upholding democratic norms and ensuring the integrity of electoral processes.