Exclusive: US, European lawmakers jointly condemn Venezuela's handling of election
WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The leaders of foreign affairs committees of the U.S. Congress and legislatures across Europe have joined to condemn the Venezuelan government’s handling of last weekend’s disputed election, according to a statement seen by Reuters, an unprecedented show of unity intended to pressure Caracas to release full vote tallies.
Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked with his counterparts across Europe to work collectively to put pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
“Our governments are closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, and will work together to hold Maduro accountable should he continue to disregard the democratic will of Venezuelan voters to steal yet another election,” said the statement, seen by Reuters ahead of its expected release.
By early Friday, leaders of foreign affairs committees from legislatures in Armenia, Moldova, Latvia, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Denmark and Romania had signed on to a statement, said a source familiar with the discussions.