The European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament has nominated Venezuelan presidential candidate and opposition politician Edmundo González Urrutia for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

ECR MEP Carlo Fidanza, who initiated the nomination of González, said:

“Edmundo González, who has been forced into exile in Spain by an arrest warrant issued by the Maduro regime, is a shining symbol of the peaceful struggle for freedom and democracy and the greatest hope for the people of Venezuela.

“Maduro is a sadistic and cruel tyrant who lives in a delusion, has rigged elections, and works with criminals and drug traffickers to harass his people. There are now more than 25 dead and 2,000 political prisoners. Terrible examples are being made of dissidents.

“The EU must do all it can to support Edmundo González and the opposition and ensure that democracy has a chance of being restored in the country. To this end, the EU should also recognise González as the legitimately elected President of Venezuela.”

The European Parliament will vote on a resolution on the situation in Venezuela on Thursday.