21
Jan
2025
Watch
Situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (debate)
Mr President, for too long the Venezuelan people have been suffering under the yoke of a regime that has turned oppression and political violence into a system of governance. Nicolás Maduro clings desperately to power, not with the legitimacy of popular consent, but with the weapon of lies, coercion and fear. Venezuela has immense potential, yet it is in crisis. And it is not an ordinary crisis, but a crisis caused by the corruption of a regime that is willing to sacrifice the future of a nation to preserve its grip on power. Last July’s presidential election was marked by blatant irregularities and massive electoral fraud. The results announced by the National Electoral Council were contested not only by the opposition, but also by a large part of the international community. We must be clear: There has been an obvious manipulation of the electoral process. Edmundo González is a man who served his country with dignity as a diplomat and agreed to wear the opposition standard in the face of the ineligibility imposed on Maria...