The following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, along with the High Representative of the European Union.
"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, express our solidarity with the people of Venezuela, who peacefully exercised their right to vote in large numbers on July 28 to shape the future of their country."
Independent domestic and international observers have raised serious concerns about Venezuela's Presidential election results and how the electoral process was conducted. The concerns particularly focus on irregularities and a lack of transparency in final vote tabulation. "It is of paramount importance that the result reflects the will of the Venezuelan people," stated the ministers.
The G7 Foreign Ministers call on relevant representatives to publish detailed electoral results transparently. They also urge electoral representatives to share all information immediately with opposition parties and independent observers.
"As the process unfolds," they said in conclusion, "we call for maximum restraint in the country and for a peaceful, democratic and Venezuelan-led solution."
