The German Federal Foreign Office has expressed skepticism about the outcome of the recent parliamentary and regional elections in Venezuela. In a statement, a ministry spokesperson said that the agency is aware of the results announced by the authorities, but noted that the campaign and voter mobilization appeared to have been largely absent, according to available information. The spokesperson also pointed out a low voter turnout.
The fear of reprisals for political activism, which has intensified since the wave of arrests following the 2024 presidential elections, likely contributed to the low turnout, the spokesperson suggested. The opposition group led by Maria Corina Machado had also called for a boycott of the election.
The German government’s concerns and criticisms, which were voiced after the disputed presidential elections, have not changed. The agency continues to advocate for human rights, freedom of assembly and democratic elements worldwide, including in Venezuela, where these principles are currently severely restricted and seem impossible to uphold, as evident in the recent elections.
Following the vote, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council announced a significant victory for the Socialist Party of President Nicolás Maduro. The opposition, however, had largely boycotted the election, abstaining from the vote. The background to this is the internationally disputed outcome of the 2024 presidential elections and the government’s harsh treatment of demonstrators.