Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Poland made a general appeal to the Venezuelan authorities to quickly publish the voter lists to ensure full transparency for the elections held on July 28, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the Italian Prime Minister's office, BTA reports.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council declared President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, the winner of the election with 51 percent of the vote, after which the opposition immediately accused authorities of fraud. According to her own detailed count, opposition candidate Edmundo González likely received 67% of the vote.
The joint statement by the seven EU countries is part of a wave of criticism from abroad over the way the Venezuelan government conducted the election. Some countries, including the United States and Argentina, recognized Gonzalez as the winner of the election.
Last week, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries expressed their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their concern about the election results.
"We call on the Venezuelan authorities to immediately publish all voter lists to ensure full transparency and integrity of the electoral process," said the statement of the seven European countries.
Maduro said at a rally in Caracas today that the country will not accept the opposition's attempt to "usurp the presidency again", reported France Press. 5 years ago, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself president and received the support of part of the international community.
"Military and Police Patrols" will continue throughout the country "to protect the people", Maduro also emphasized.
At least 11 people died in the riots after his contested re-election. According to the opposition, about 1,000 arrests were made during the repressions, and there are also people who have disappeared without a trace, notes AFP.