Party of European Socialists (PES) President Sergei Stanishev stated: “I am very concerned about the unfair trial which Leopoldo López has been subjected to, which has lacked the minimum guarantees. The sentence reminds us of the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela, where the independence of the judiciary has been repeatedly undermined by the Government.
I call on the Government of Venezuela to liberate Leopoldo López, and to fully respect human rights. Furthermore, the Party of the European Socialists asks the Government of Venezuela to ensure that the upcoming elections on December 6 are conducted in a free and transparent manner”.