Britain calls for transitional government to run Venezuela election

Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally demanding President Nicolas Maduro's resignation in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela’s opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally demanding President Nicolas Maduro’s resignation in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Britain called on Venezuela today to establish a transitional government and swiftly hold free presidential elections, due to the impact of COVID-19 on the country.

“The current pandemic and Venezuela’s overwhelmed public health care system have added urgency to the need to end the status quo,” Britain’s foreign ministry said.

“We reiterate the willingness of all those countries maintaining economic sanctions to discuss sanctions relief in the context of political progress,” it added.

Britain said it was making the statement as part of joint action with the United States and the European Union.