I regret that President Maduro has not accepted the EU’s call to hold free and fair presidential elections. For Germany, Juan Guaidó is the Interim President in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution in order to organise free, fair and democratic presidential elections.

We remain concerned about the people in Venezuela who are suffering as a result of severe shortages, including in the healthcare sector. Germany will provide funding of five million euros for humanitarian assistance in Venezuela as soon as the political conditions in the country allow this.

We regret that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has not accepted the EU’s call to hold free and fair presidential elections. In its statement of 26 January, the EU expressly and unanimously reiterated this call.

For Germany, the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, is the legitimate Interim President in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution in order that he can hold free, fair and democratic presidential elections.

We remain concerned about the people in Venezuela who are suffering as a result of severe shortages, including in the healthcare sector. Like the EU, we have therefore reiterated our call for international humanitarian assistance to have unhindered access, without success so far. Germany has allocated funding of five million euros for humanitarian assistance in Venezuela which can be provided as soon as the political conditions in the country permit this.

The EU has also agreed to establish an International Contact Group to help lay the foundations for a peaceful and democratic process that will lead as swiftly as possible to fresh elections. We will play an active role in this task.