Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has reopened diplomatic relations with the Government of Venezuela, led by Nicholás Maduro, or if it is still the position of his Department to recognise Juan Guaidó as the President of Venezuela. [56219/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Venezuela remains complex and deeply concerning. Political repression continues, and the humanitarian and human rights situations in the country are still of serious concern. Ireland and the EU have continued to call for the release of all political prisoners, for the independence of political parties, for freedom of expression to be respected, and for an end to human rights abuses. The EU reiterated this call in its statement before the most recent Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Ireland's, and the EU's, priority with regard to Venezuela continues to be to encourage all parties to re-engage with the political dialogue mechanism that has been established in Mexico in order to find a Venezuelan-led solution to the crisis, and to pave the way for free and fair elections to take place in 2024.

Ireland's policy with regard to recognition is that we recognise States, rather than Governments. Ireland's position in relation to Venezuela reflects this policy, and also aligns fully with the position of the EU as detailed in the Council Conclusions of January 2021 ( available at: st05582-en21.pdf (europa.eu) ). As set out in those Council Conclusions, Mr. Juan Guaidó, as well as other representatives of the democratic opposition, are considered to be important actors and privileged interlocutors in the Venezuelan context.

With regard to diplomatic relations, Ireland has never broken off diplomatic relations with Venezuela. The EU has also maintained, and continues to maintain, diplomatic relations with Venezuela, though since 2021 these relations have been at the level of Chargé d’Affaires.