During the session on October 8 of the National Assembly with a Chavista majority, Jorge Rodríguez, president of Parliament, charged against the high representative of the Foreign Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, whom he even insulted by calling him an “imbecile”, after the statements in which he advocated international pressure.
“This is a dictatorial regime,” Borrell had said on September 15 when referring to the administration of Nicolás Maduro. That was the first time that he referred to the Venezuelan government in such a blunt way. The Spanish diplomat had previously condemned that in Venezuela there were more than 2,000 people arbitrarily detained after the presidential elections, moments marked by government repression that also left more than twenty people dead.
“The opposition leader has had to flee. Political parties have been subjected to a thousand limitations in their actions. There are seven million Venezuelans who have fled their country. Well, what do you call all that?” said Borrell in reference to the exile of Edmundo González.
The European Union has been emphatic in demanding the publication of electoral results table by table, something that the National Electoral Council (CNE) has failed to comply with. Although the European bloc does not consider Edmundo González the winner, Borrell pointed out that according to the minutes published on the website resultadosconvzla.com indicate that the opponent “seems to be the winner.”
“Borrell, launch whatever pressure you want, appoint Edmundo González Urrutia infanto, little king, to replace Felipe VI of Spain, name him however you want, but there (Spain). You, your European Union, and the Court of Spain do not get involved in Venezuela’s affairs,” Rodríguez shouted from the Federal Legislative Palace.
A life dedicated to diplomacy
Josep Borrell Fontelles is a Spanish politician, aeronautical engineer, economist, professor and diplomat. Since December 2019, he has held the position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
In a political career that spans several decades and has touched almost all aspects of Spanish and European politics. His career began in Spanish politics, where he played key roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Union and Cooperation of Spain from 2018 to 2019 and President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007. However, it was in December 2019 when Borrell took office. of his greatest challenges upon being named High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as Vice President of the European Commission.
Borrell, a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), has been a central figure in contemporary European politics. He has been a tireless advocate for human rights and democracy, and his leadership has been crucial in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and current geopolitical tensions.
Outside the political sphere, Borrell is married to Carolina Mayeur and has a daughter, Cristina Narbona. His personal life, although less known, reflects a similar dedication to the values of family and commitment.
Watching from afar
The European Union was invited to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela, but the CNE revoked the invitation due to the ratification of personal and individual sanctions against members of the government and the ruling party.
Borrell regretted that decision, as he considered that the presence of the EU in the electoral contest would have had “a very important added value.”
“I believe that the European Union would have provided very important added value and I am very sorry that the Venezuelan Government did not want us to be there,” he declared to EFE at the beginning of July, a few days before the elections.
He has asked for the minutes “again and again”
On August 12, Borrell spoke with the opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, to whom he reaffirmed the EU’s position of requesting the publication and verification of the electoral records, stopping the post-electoral repression “and the need for a dialogue with guarantees that reflects the popular will.”
That message followed the line of a previous statement from the European bloc, in which Borrell said that “respect for the will of the Venezuelan people continues to be the only way for Venezuela to reestablish democracy.”
Days later, on August 29, the foreign ministers of the countries of the European Union agreed in not recognizing the electoral victory claimed by Nicolás Maduro. Borrell pointed out that the countries of the European Union have decided not to recognize Maduro’s “democratic legitimacy.”
A little more than a month later, on October 3, Borrell pointed out that the electoral records presented by the Carter Center before the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) reaffirm the EU in its position of not recognizing the victory of Ripe.
On that date, Borrell met with opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, to whom he reiterated the need for an “inclusive dialogue with guarantees for all parties towards a democratic transition.”
In addition to its words against Borrell, the ruling AN increased tension between Venezuela and Spain, by approving an agreement to ask Maduro to break diplomatic, consular and commercial relations with the Kingdom of Spain after the Congress of Deputies recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as winner of the presidential elections on July 28.
Caracas / Runrunes
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