We remain concerned about the increasing intimidation and harassment of the media by the Maduro regime. A statement by the Independent International Fact Finding Mission on Venezuela on 10 March stated that there have been 9 detentions of journalists, and the independent press since its last report in September 2020. We highlighted this issue at the UN Human Rights Council meeting on Venezuela in March, and signed up to the ministerial statement by the International Contact Group on Venezuela on 2 February, which called for an immediate end to repression and attacks on the media in Venezuela.

Sanctions are a useful tool for furthering our broader Venezuela policy. They help encourage democratic change by keeping pressure on the regime, targeting illicit finance and calling out human rights abuses. The UK introduced its autonomous Venezuela sanctions regime on 1 January 2021 transposing the existing 36 EU Venezuelan sanctions into English law. We will consider the introduction of further designations in support of UK policy but it would not be appropriate to speculate publicly on potential designations.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.

The UK does not recognise the legitimacy of the Venezuelan legislative elections held on 6 December. Electoral conditions were neither free nor fair, and did not reach international democratic standards. We welcome the strong international condemnation of the elections by the International Contact Group (ICG) on Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, the European Union, and others. Staff at our Embassy in Caracas, and in London talk regularly with opposition leaders. We are discussing next steps with like-minded partners in both Europe and the Americas.

The economic crisis in Venezuela continues to deepen, exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19. It is forecast that by the end of 2020, Venezuela will be recording an 80% contraction in GDP since 2014. Chronic economic mismanagement, hyperinflation, a massive exodus of Venezuelan talent as a result of the disastrous political and humanitarian situation, and repeated critical infrastructure failures are all factors contributing to this. The UNHCR calculates that more than 5 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees have left Venezuela, the largest exodus of people in South American history. Economic activity is at minimal levels, and the fiscal balance has worsened.

The political crisis has been further complicated by the Maduro regime taking forward an illegitimate legislative election on 6 December. Many opposition parties, led by interim constitutional President Juan Guaido, refused to participate because of electoral conditions that were neither free nor credible. The FCDO published a statement on 7 December, making clear that the UK considers the election to have been illegitimate, and does not recognise the result. The International Contact Group on Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, the Lima Group, and others have all made similar statements. We will continue to work closely with like-minded partners.

We are aware of reports about the condition of the Nabarima floating storage and off-loading facility in the Gulf of Paria. We have not made representations to the Venezuelan authorities, but would urge them to take all necessary measures to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe that would have repercussions not only for Venezuela but also for the entire region.

In September 2018, six members of the Lima Group (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru) referred the situation in Venezuela and possible commission of crimes against humanity there to the International Criminal Court (ICC). On 27 September 2019, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK's support for the Lima Group's referral.

The Court has yet to conclude the Preliminary Examination into the situation in Venezuela. The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) is carrying out a Preliminary Examination to determine whether the situation meets the legal criteria established by the Rome Statute to warrant investigation by the OTP. The OTP will provide an update on the Preliminary Examination in December in its annual report on Preliminary Examination Activities. We look forward to hearing about the progress the OTP has made. It would not be appropriate for the UK to comment further at this stage. The UK respects the independence of the ICC Prosecutor and her role in undertaking a Preliminary Examination into the situation in Venezuela.

Helping British travellers who need and want to return to the UK is one of the Government's highest priorities. Since the outbreak in Wuhan, we estimate that over 1.3 million people have returned to the UK via commercial routes - the majority supported by our work to keep vital routes open. Additionally we have brought home over 32,000 people on 155 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 29 countries and territories.

The remaining British travellers in Venezuela have access to intermittent commercial flights via Mexico. In addition, our Embassy in Caracas has supported the return of British travellers requiring assistance through additional charter flights via Europe and Mexico operated by our international partners. Our travel advice and social media pages are also regularly updated to ensure that those wishing to return are aware of further developments: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/venezuela.

The UK remains deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and its long-term economic crisis. Venezuela's economy has shrunk 65% since 2013, and not as a result of economic sanctions imposed from 2017, but caused primarily by political and economic mismanagement and the gross misuse of power by the illegitimate Maduro regime and its predecessor. The collapse of the country's health system is one example of what has gone wrong, at such high cost to the Venezuelan people, and long predates the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through DFID, HMG has to date committed £44.5 million to support the humanitarian crisis, including ongoing work being delivered by key partners, such as the UN, to support the Covid-19 response and alleviate the humanitarian consequences of the crisis in Venezuela, including through the provision of medical supplies.

The UK Government does not support the US sanctions regime against Cuba. Our Ambassador to Havana regularly discusses with the Cuban authorities how we can develop our bilateral relationship, including how we might work together to deliver a robust global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We were most appreciative of the Cuban authorities' support with the repatriation of passengers from the cruise ship Braemar in March after passengers on the ship were stricken by the Covid-19 virus.

The United Kingdom remains alarmed at the deteriorating economic situation in Venezuela. The actions of the Maduro regime including years of economic mismanagement, hyperinflation, and shortages of food and medicine, have led to social and economic collapse. This has led to millions of misplaced people, including many refugees, who fled to neighbouring countries, threatening regional stability and security.

The UK is committed to supporting international efforts to bring an end to the state of economic crisis.

We maintain regular discussions with key actors on Venezuela following the United Kingdom's recognition of Juan Guaido as constitutional interim President of Venezuela. Through our Ambassador in Caracas and internationally, we have been working closely with like-minded partners - including on a sanctions regime imposed by the EU. We are also working with the US and the regional Lima Group to encourage a peaceful resolution of the current crisis and a democratic transition through free and fair elections.

The United Kingdom remains alarmed at the deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela. Actions of the Maduro regime have led to social and economic collapse and millions of misplaced people including many refugees, to neighbouring countries threatening regional stability and security. It is a man-made humanitarian crisis exacerbated by years of economic mismanagement, hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine, and very serious human rights violations.

As a member of the Human Rights Council, Venezuela has a duty to uphold the highest standards of human rights and cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms. The United Kingdom will continue to support the work done by the Human Rights Council in Venezuela, and is committed to supporting a broad human rights agenda in the country.

My hon. Friend is right to tirelessly champion freedom across the world. I met interim President Guaidó. We continue to want a peaceful resolution of the situation in Venezuela and a transition to free elections which are credible for the people of Venezuela.

The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday was welcomed by many businesses in Bishop Auckland for his words about championing free trade globally. On freedom, a number of my constituents have been in touch to ask specifically what we can do to help to promote freedom in Venezuela.