Leaders of the world's seven most industrialized democracies called for new and fair elections in Venezuela as they rejected the recent victory of President Nicolas Maduro.
In a statement, leaders of the G7 nations and the EU denounced the results of the May 20 polls, saying they lacked legitimacy and credibility, and urged Maduro's government to schedule "free and fair elections that can truly reflect the democratic will of the people."
"The Venezuelan government has missed the opportunity for an urgently needed political rectification," the leaders said.
The G7 leaders also called for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela and the restoration of the authority of the National Assembly, the country's legislature.
Earlier this week, the U.S. issued additional sanctions against Maduro's government and accused him of worsening the country's humanitarian and public health crisis.
In response, Maduro ordered the expulsion of the top two U.S. diplomats in Venezuela, Agence France-Presse reported. A U.S. State Department official told the news agency that if the expulsions are confirmed, the U.S. may take reciprocal action.
