Antony J. Blinken, United States Secretary of State; Josep Borrell Fontelles, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission; the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada; and James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, have released the following statement:
"We welcome the Venezuelan-led political agreement reached today in Barbados. This agreement represents a necessary step in the continuation of an inclusive dialogue process and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.
"We support a peaceful negotiated outcome that leads to fair and competitive elections, and a return to economic stability and security.
"We continue to call for the unconditional release of all those unjustly detained, the independence of the electoral process and judicial institutions, freedom of expression, including for members of the press, and respect for human and political rights.
"We will work with our international and other partners to address the urgent needs of all Venezuelans inside and outside their country and to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
"We are grateful to Barbados for hosting the negotiations and to Norway for its leadership in facilitating the negotiations."
