Over recent years, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has been strengthening its relationship with Latin America. Resolution 2603 (2025) “Strengthening relations between the Council of Europe and Latin America”, adopted by the Assembly in 2025, is clear evidence of this and serves as a valuable guide for action.
In recent weeks, news of political changes in Latin America has attracted growing international attention. Although the main focus has been on Venezuela, it may not be the only case, as there is hope that events in Cuba and Nicaragua could also unfold in ways that hasten the end of these dictatorships.
The Assembly recognised the role of the democratic opposition in Venezuela when it awarded the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize to María Corina Machado. The developments that have taken place since 3 January 2026 open up the possibility of a transition to democracy. The Council of Europe can support this process so that Venezuela’s future is decided by all Venezuelans, without any form of exclusion. This support should also aim to guarantee freedom of the press, an independent judiciary, and the legitimate ownership of all means of production by the Venezuelan people. The same should apply to other nations in the region that continue to suffer under harsh dictatorships.
For all these reasons, it is necessary to deepen relations with Latin America and to launch initiatives that enable the Council of Europe to support this new phase now beginning.