Theresa May condemns 'anti-democratic' Venezuelan government
2 min read
Theresa May has launched a bitter attack on the Venezuelan government and accused controversial president Nicolas Maduro of trying to take the country "further away from democracy".
The Prime Minister hit out following talks in Downing Street with Julio Borges, the head of the opposition-led Venezuelan National Assembly.
Mrs May said she was "deeply troubled" by the imprisoning of anti-government politicians, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, whose wife Antonieta was also present at the Number 10 talks.
President Maduro has come in for global criticism over the political and economic crisis which has engulfed his country.
The left-wing leader has been accused of trying to take over the National Assembly, restricting human rights and overseeing a food crisis, soaring inflation and rising crime levels.
Mrs May said: "We have been consistent in our condemnation of the actions of the Venezuelan government and in our unwavering support for the National Assembly as a democratic institution.
"Today’s meeting is an unambiguous signal that the UK will continue to work with our international partners to put pressure on the authorities to decrease tension in Venezuela and prevent the country from being taken further away from democracy.
"In particular we are deeply troubled by the detention of political prisoners such as Leopoldo Lopez, whose case we heard at Downing Street today.
"I once again urge the Venezuelan government to ensure that human rights, the rule of law, the separation of powers and the integrity of democratic institutions are respected."
The meeting came amid mounting controversy over Jeremy Corbyn's failure to single out President Maduro's regime for criticism.
Speaking last month, the Labour leader would only condemn the “violence by all sides" in the ongoing conflict.
He said: "I’m very sad at the lives that have been lost in Venezuela.
“The people who have died, either those on the streets or security forces that have been attacked by people on the street – all of those lives are terrible for the loss of them.
“There has to be a dialogue and a process that respects the independence of the judiciary and respects the human rights of all.”
“What I condemn is the violence that’s been done by any side, by all sides, in all this. Violence is not going to solve the issue."
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