EU Calls On Venezuela To Ensure Rights, Freedoms Of Country's National Assembly President

The EU External Action Service (EEAS) called on the Venezuelan authorities on Monday to protect the civil rights and freedoms of the president of the country's National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who was briefly detained on Sunday just days after expressing his presidential ambitions

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) The EU External Action Service (EEAS) called on the Venezuelan authorities on Monday to protect the civil rights and freedoms of the president of the country's National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who was briefly detained on Sunday just days after expressing his presidential ambitions.

On Sunday, Guaido was detained by Venezuelan intelligence agents on his way to a political rally. The opposition politician was released later that day. This all happened just days after the head of the opposition-controlled parliament said he was ready to take over as the nation's interim president, since the new term of President Nicolas Maduro was deemed illegal by many.

"The European Union stands in solidarity with the President of the National Assembly, the country's democratically elected institution, and expects the relevant authorities to ensure his civil rights, freedom and physical integrity, as well as that of all members of the National Assembly in line with their constitutionally mandated immunity," spokeswoman for the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic said in a statement.

According to Kocijancic, the Venezuelan authorities have also temporarily detained two journalists.

"The authorities must ensure the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the press and media," Kocijancic added.

On Thursday, Maduro took the oath of office to begin his second presidential term, which will last until 2025. The Organization of American States, members of the Lima Group with the exception of Mexico and the United States refused to recognize Maduro's new term. On Friday, the Washington-based Venezuelan Supreme Court in Exile called on Guaido to take over the presidency. Guaido himself has declared his readiness to do so, adding that the country's constitution allowed him to call a new election.