Czech Foreign Ministry concerned over developments in Venezuela

The Czech Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the result of Venezuela’s presidential election in which leftist authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro defended his post on Sunday.

In a statement issued on Monday the ministry said the election lacked fundamental democratic elements, opposition parties and organizations have been under permanent pressure and there have been persistent violations of human rights in the country.

It called on Venezuela’s government to launch a constructive dialogue with the opposition, release all political prisoners and respect human rights and freedoms.