Written question asked by Fabian Hamilton (Labour) on Friday, 12 April 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 April 2024. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Monday, 22 April 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Venezuela: Elections

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Venezuela on reports that the opposition leader of the Unitary Platform has been blocked as a candidate from July’s presidential elections in Venezuela.

Answer: The UK does not to accept the legitimacy of the administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro. In my [Minister Rutley] tweet on 28 January, I registered our concern regarding the situation of María Corina Machado. Her disqualification from holding public office is a backwards step. All opposition candidates should be allowed to stand unimpeded for election in 2024. We urge the implementation of electoral guarantees in line with the Barbados Agreement of October 2023.

Secondary information