Venezuela: Meeting of Senior Officials of the Permanent Secretariat of the International Contact Group

The Senior Officials of the International Contact Group (ICG) met on Friday, through video conference, to discuss the latest developments in Venezuela. They were also debriefed by Special Adviser of the High Representative for Venezuela Enrique Iglesias, and by representatives of Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations on the humanitarian situation in the country.

The Senior Officials exchanged views on the upcoming regional and local elections, as well as on the conditions and potential for negotiations between the Venezuelan authorities and the opposition on the future of the country. They also addressed the dire humanitarian situation and ways to ease the most urgent needs.

The IGC will continue to gather broad international support for a peaceful, negotiated transition, leading to a political democratic future in Venezuela.

The International Contact Group brings together Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay in a common effort to foster support to a peaceful and democratic way out of the crisis in Venezuela, as well as to facilitate access and the increase of humanitarian aid to that country, particularly in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic.