Speaking ahead of today’s International Donors’ Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants, jointly organised by the European Union, the government of Spain and with the support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), S&D Eurolat MEPs reiterated their call for a democratic, pacific and negotiated solution to the crisis in Venezuela and an end of general sanctions for humanitarian reasons.

Javi López, S&D MEP and co-chair of EUROLAT, said: 

“COVID-19 hit Venezuela when it was already suffering from a deep humanitarian crisis, severe shortage of medicines and health care resources, and millions of people had fled to neighbouring countries, who are doing their utmost to help. This humanitarian crisis is the sad result of a political crisis, which must be resolved by pacific and democratic means.

“We reiterate our demand to temporarily suspend restrictive measures and general sanctions, and advocate for debt restructuring and debt cancellation for the most vulnerable countries. We must empower countries to focus all their efforts on fighting the pandemic. At a time when the multilateral system is increasingly coming under pressure, we must reclaim dialogue, international forums and common institutions as the best instruments to reach effective solutions to complex challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Maria Marques, S&D MEP and spokesperson for EUROLAT, said:

"The International Donors’ Conference can establish an urgently needed life-line for Venezuela, whose economic condition was dire even before COVID-19. In times of a pandemic, general sanctions must not block medical and other life-saving efforts anywhere in the world. Faced with the dreadful situation in some countries, we call for the cease of all general sanctions, reiterating UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s plea. The funds committed today must be delivered, and fully benefit the Venezuelan people.”

MEPs involved
Head of delegation
Member
Portugal
Member
Spain
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