Theresa May’s official spokesman has called on Venezuela’s government to release political prisoners and show respect for democracy and human rights, after weeks of violence in the country. No 10 said Britain had condemned the government of President Nicolás Maduro for forcing through a constituent assembly that clearly did not represent the will of the Venezuelan people. “It is a tragedy that so many people have lost their lives in protests in Venezuela. We’re clear that urgent action must be taken to stop the situation getting worse,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.
“The UK has repeatedly called on the Maduro government to work with the opposition, release political prisoners and show respect for democracy and human rights.”

The situation in Venezuela has worsened since the government was granted sweeping powers to overhaul the country’s political system in a disputed recent poll that was boycotted by the opposition. Security agents seized two opposition leaders from their homes after they called for protests against the vote. Widespread protests against the government of the oil-producing South American country have been going since April amid spiralling prices for food and medicine because of low oil prices, with more than 120 people killed in the unrest.(theguardian)…[+]