The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albarespointed out this Wednesday that Spain is open to adopting more sanctions against the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela due to the democratic deterioration in the country after the July 28 elections, although it has not clarified if the strategy involves recognize the opposition Edmundo González as president-electafter the step taken by the United States or Italy.
In statements upon his arrival at the second day of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, the head of Spanish diplomacy insisted that the national and European position is “clear”. “We are not going to recognize any democratic legitimacy to Maduro. We have said it a long time ago. In fact, I was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs who said it very clearly,” he assured.
In any case, Albares did not want to clarify whether the EU will adopt sanctions or take steps to recognize Edmundo González ahead of January 10, when the change of power in Venezuela should occur and the date to renew European sanctions.
Thus, he recalled that the European bloc already applies numerous sanctions against Venezuela, although it has shown its willingness to debate new punitive measures within the EU. “There is no problem in having that debate,” he said. “There are sanctions already so extensive that it is even difficult to find new people to sanction. But we are open to any measure“said the Foreign Minister.
Edmundo Gonzalez
Regarding possible steps that Spain could take in the recognition of the Venezuelan opposition, considered the winner of the presidential elections according to the electoral records published by the opposition forces and considered as such by the United States and Italy, Albares has avoided confirming If Spain will make this decision between now and January. “We are doing things in concert with our international partners. Very few States, you can count them on the fingers of one hand, have recognized Edmundo González,” he argued, pointing out that many others have changed the “denomination” to president-elect and not There are “concrete decisions” to delve into the recognition of the veteran diplomat as Venezuelan head of state.
Edmundo González, exiled in Spain since last Septemberhas thanked the Spanish authorities for their role but considers that what is missing is their “full recognition” as the winner of the presidential elections held on July 28. Faced with these demands, Albares has claimed that the Venezuelan opponent “makes allusions to him in the press”, but in person “he has not conveyed anything to him.”
