A rally organised by the President of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó in Barquisimeto, Lara state, on Saturday 28 February, was disrupted when gunmen and members of civilian armed groups attacked and opened fire against members of the opposition, injuring at least one person.

Acts of this nature against the opposition and the democratically elected National Assembly and its members are unacceptable and further hamper the efforts towards a political solution to the crisis.

The right of all political forces and civil society to demonstrate peacefully must be respected. Security forces have the obligation to prevent violence against protestors.

Respecting democratic principles and upholding the rule of law are essential conditions to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the crisis in Venezuela for the benefit of its people. The European Union continues to stand ready to support a genuine process towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the crisis, based on credible and transparent elections.