Italy calls on Venezuela to “respect the rights of all citizens”

“Italy calls on the Venezuelan authorities to respect the rights of all citizens,” said Meloni / Photo: EFE

The Italian government of far-right leader Giorgia Meloni on Saturday urged Venezuela “to respect the rights of all citizens” and release political prisoners, and condemned any type of violation of civil liberties.

“The Italian government continues to follow the situation in Venezuela with great concern, in close agreement with its international partners,” the Italian government said in a statement.

He added that “Italy calls on the Venezuelan authorities to respect the rights of all citizens and to proceed with the release of all political opponents.”

It also “strongly condemns any threat to or deprivation of civil liberties.”

On Friday, Italy’s top diplomat, Antonio Tajani, asked Venezuela to release the political dissidents and assured that the Italian authorities are closely following the evolution of the situation in the South American country through a working group formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the presidential elections in which Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner, a victory questioned by the opposition inside and outside Venezuela, Italy is one of the European countries that has asked the Venezuelan government to publish the voting records to guarantee the transparency of the electoral process.

At the beginning of August, Tajani had already condemned “the detention measures taken against Venezuelan citizens, including Italian-Venezuelans.” He also expressed his displeasure at “the continued restrictions on press freedom” in the country.

“Italy stands by the Venezuelan people, who have expressed their will,” said Tajani, who urged “the people to respect the democratic vote, trampled by the numerous manipulations of the voting results.”

Rome / EFE