Venezuela Revokes Invitation for EU to Observe July Election

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) has rescinded its invitation to European Union (EU) observers to monitor the country's upcoming presidential election in July. The decision was made due to EU sanctions against Venezuela, with CNE head Elvis Amoroso stating that "they are not worthy people to come to this country...while they maintain sanctions." Amoroso accused the EU of "interventionist practices" through its sanctions and called for a "total lifting" of assets freeze and travel sanctions ratified by the EU two weeks ago. He also described the sanctions as "colonialist, coercive, unilateral, and genocidal". This decision comes after the government-controlled legislature approved a measure to ask the CNE to revoke the invitation for EU electoral observers. The July vote marks the first time the opposition has participated in a presidential contest in Venezuela.