I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela where protests have been ongoing since early February. I am saddened by the deaths that have occurred and condemn all acts of violence.

I welcome the meetings that have now been held between the Government and Opposition which are an important step towards genuine dialogue. I support the work of the commission of Foreign Ministers from the Union of South American Nations, whose role is to support and advise on dialogue, as well as the involvement of the Vatican.

In my statement of 26 March I called for all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and create the right conditions for genuine dialogue. I have written to the Venezuelan Government emphasising the importance of respecting peaceful protest and offered the UK's assistance in the reconciliation process.

I am deeply concerned about the reports of violence associated with protests in various cities in Venezuela since early February and call on all sides to refrain from violence. I receive regular reports on the situation from our embassy in Caracas.

The majority of the demonstrations, including large-scale gatherings organised by the Government or by the opposition, have been peaceful, but some disturbances have been marred by violence. The number and frequency of the incidents have decreased over the last few weeks, but there are still violent incidents. To date, at least 41 people have died and more than 650 have been injured since the start of protests. About half the victims are anti-government protestors and the rest pro-government supporters, security forces or bystanders. Around 2,500 people have been detained and around 200 people remain in custody, including police officers and students. The authorities are investigating around 100 cases of reported human rights abuses.

It is important that the Venezuelan Government respects the right to protest peacefully, ensures public security and due process is afforded in investigations. I welcome

the meetings held between the Government and opposition which are an important step towards genuine dialogue. We continue to monitor the situation closely and keep travel advice for British nationals under constant review.

Anti-government protests have been taking place in Caracas and other cities in Venezuela since early February. Around 40 people have died, and over 500 injured. About half the victims are anti-government protestors and the rest pro-government supporters, security forces and bystanders. More than 2,000 people have been detained in relation to the protests, although most have been released on parole.

We are concerned by reports of excessive use of force in protests, and reports of armed groups using violence. We condemn all acts of violence and call on all sides to show restraint. It is important that the Venezuelan government respects the right to protest peacefully and freedom of speech, and ensures that those detained are afforded due process. We have called for all sides to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and to create the right conditions for genuine dialogue to take place.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), has written to the Venezuelan government emphasising the importance of respecting

peaceful protest and the importance of dialogue taking place between the parties. He has offered the UK’s assistance in the reconciliation process and asked to speak to his Venezuelan opposite number. Our Embassy in Caracas urges peaceful dialogue through its contacts with a range of actors in Venezuelan society.

I am concerned by reports of excessive use of force in protests, and reports of armed groups using violence. I condemn all acts of violence and call on all sides to show restraint. It is important that the Venezuelan Government respects the right to protest peacefully and ensures public security. The Government has called for all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and to create the right conditions for genuine dialogue to take place.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), has written to the Venezuelan Government emphasising the importance of respecting peaceful protest and the importance of dialogue to take place between the parties. He has offered the UK’s assistance in the reconciliation process and asked to speak to his Venezuelan opposite number. The British embassy in Caracas urges peaceful dialogue through its contacts with a range of actors in Venezuelan society.

I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela and condemn all acts of violence. It is important that the Venezuelan Government respects the right to protest peacefully, ensures public security and due process is afforded in investigations.

I welcome the visits of the commission of Foreign Ministers from the Union of South American Nations, who have met with President Maduro, opposition leaders and civil society representatives. I am aware, from my visit to the region in February, that governments in the region are keen to support broad and constructive dialogue.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), has called for all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation and has written to the Venezuelan Government to stress the need for dialogue to take place and offered the UK's assistance in the reconciliation process. We are monitoring the situation closely, and keeping travel advice for British nationals under review.

We are extremely concerned about the situation in Venezuela. In my statement of 26 March, I urged all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and create the right conditions for genuine dialogue. A commission of Foreign Ministers from the Union of South American Nations group of countries is on its second visit to Venezuela as we speak. They will support and advise on dialogue between the parties. We hope that that will play a positive role in helping to avoid violence and in promoting reconciliation in Venezuela.

Will the Minister give us an update on the political situation in Venezuela, and tell us what prospects he sees for dialogue and an end to violence? What action are the UK Government taking in relation to that?

As I said in my statement of 26 March, I am deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela. I am saddened by the deaths that have occurred, and condemn all acts of violence.

We have called for all sides to take steps to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and to create the right conditions for genuine dialogue to take place. I have written to the Venezuelan Government to convey this message and offered the UK's assistance in the reconciliation process. I have spoken to ministerial colleagues in the region, both during my visit to South America and during the Union of South .American Nations (UNASUR) commission's visit, to encourage their governments to help promote dialogue in Venezuela. Our embassy in Caracas urges peaceful dialogue through its contacts with a range of actors in Venezuelan society.

A commission of foreign ministers from the UNASUR group of countries visited Caracas 26-27 March to support and advise on dialogue between the parties. I welcome this positive first visit which involved meetings with a range contacts, including with President Maduro, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), commented on the situation in Venezuela on 18 February, during an official visit to Brazil. He expressed concern at the reports of violence associated with protests and the arrests of students and opposition politicians. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs highlighted the importance of freedom of expression and of the press and the right to protest peacefully.

I have written to the Venezuelan embassy in London emphasising the importance of respecting peaceful protest and creating the right conditions for dialogue to take place between the parties. 1 have also asked to speak to my Venezuelan opposite number. I will continue to monitor the situation carefully, and call on all sides to refrain from violence, to reduce tensions and to create the conditions for genuine dialogue.

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton also made statements on 14 and 21 February regarding the situation in Venezuela on behalf of all member states. The Government fully supports those statements.

I am deeply concerned about the reports of violence associated with protests in various cities in Venezuela since early February. I receive regular reports on the situation from our embassy in Caracas.

The majority of the demonstrations, including large-scale gatherings organised by the Government or by the opposition, have been peaceful, but some disturbances have been marred by violence. At least 30 people have been killed and over 350 injured. About half the victims are anti-government protestors, but members of the

police and national guard, pro-government supporters and bystanders have also been killed. According to official figures, there have been over 1,600 detainees, out of which around 1,300 have been released on parole and await trial. Over 100 remain in detention also awaiting trial. Over 40 police officers are being investigated for using excessive force in dealing with protestors, of which 15 have been detained.

The number and frequency of the incidents has decreased in the last two weeks but there are still violent incidents. We continue to the monitor the situation carefully, and call on all sides to refrain from violence, to reduce tensions and to create the conditions for genuine dialogue.

The UNASUR group of South American countries agreed on 12 March to send a commission of Foreign Ministers to Venezuela by early April to accompany, support and advise a broad and constructive process of political dialogue. We hope that this can play a positive role in helping to prevent violence and to promote reconciliation in Venezuela.

The UK urges all parties in Venezuela to work together to reduce tension and promote political reconciliation, particularly around the municipal elections on 8 December. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), wrote to the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua on 18 November to express our hope that the UK and Venezuela can work to further our existing areas of bilateral cooperation. I also wrote to my counterpart and offered to discuss our relationship in more detail. Our ambassador in Caracas has had a number of discussions with government representatives and others about the electoral process and the importance of building bridges between all parts of Venezuelan society.

We have noted the International Democrat Union (IDU) statement on Venezuela. We have been following the situation in Venezuela closely, including recent political, social and economic developments, some of which are referred to in the IDU statement. We encourage all parties in Venezuela to work together to reduce tensions and promote reconciliation for the benefit of all Venezuelans, both before and after the municipal elections on 8 December. The British Government continues to work with the Government and people of Venezuela to strengthen our relationship and deepen co-operation in areas of mutual interest.

We have been following the situation in Venezuela closely and took note of the result of the presidential election announced on 14 April

by the National Electoral Commission. We are aware of the resolution of the International Democrat Union (IDU) and Nicolas Maduro Moros was proclaimed winner and inaugurated as President on 19 April. The result was close, with just less than 1.5% between Nicolas Maduro and Henrique Capriles, including the votes from abroad, and Mr Capriles has subsequently lodged a formal legal challenge with the Venezuelan Supreme Court. It will now be for the court to look at these complaints, in line with the procedures set down in relevant legislation. In the meantime the Venezuelan electoral authorities have begun an audit of the votes, which is due to be completed by 4 June. As the IDU resolution points out, it is important that there is full confidence in the electoral system and the results.

The British Government look forward to working with the Government and people of Venezuela to strengthen our relationship and deepen co-operation in areas of mutual interest.