Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
99. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the attempts of the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Mr. Juan Guaidó, to carry out an alleged military coup in Venezuela (details supplied); if he will condemn this alleged coup attempt; and if he will revise his decision to declare Mr. Juan Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela. [20123/19]
View answerReports of violence in Caracas in recent days are deeply concerning and serve to highlight the urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the already grave humanitarian, social and political crisis in the country. Officials in my Department have been monitoring the situation closely and I would like to take this opportunity to strongly appeal to all sides to show restraint and avoid the use of force.
Ireland is engaging on this issue with our EU partners at the highest levels. I fully support the statement issued by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini on 30 April in which the European Union rejects any form of violence and calls for the utmost restraint to avoid the loss of lives and an escalation of tensions.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, stands firmly with the Venezuelan people and their legitimate democratic aspirations. I continue to strongly believe that there can only be a political and democratic solution to the multiple crises facing the country.
We will continue to support the reinstatement of democracy and rule of law, through free and fair elections, in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution. I fully endorse the efforts of the EU's International Contact Group to bring both sides together to reach a peaceful and democratic solution. The ICG will next meet at Ministerial level on 6 and 7 May in Costa Rica and I look forward to receiving a report of this meeting.
I also fully support the ICG's efforts to enable the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Venezuela in line with humanitarian principles. I am deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in the country, where needs are acute. The EU has provided €117 million in assistance to Venezuela since 2018, of which Ireland is fully supportive.
It is important to recall that the Presidential elections which saw Nicolás Maduro re-elected in May last year lacked legitimacy. On 6 February, Ireland joined the majority of other EU MS in acknowledging and supporting Mr. Guaidó, President of the democratically elected National Assembly, as President ad interim of Venezuela, in order for him to call for free, fair and democratic presidential elections. This remains the position of 24 EU Member States, including Ireland.
Ireland is committed to bringing about a peaceful solution that gives the Venezuelan people the opportunity to decide their own future through democratic elections, in line with international standards. I will continue to engage closely with my EU colleagues on this important issue, which is due to be discussed at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 13 May.
