“We cannot accept the legitimacy of Maduro as elected president,” said Josep Borrell, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. “He will remain president, de facto … But we deny democratic legitimacy based on a result that cannot be verified.”

Borrell’s statement came after a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, with foreign ministers from the European Union’s 27 member countries, Reuters reported. He said the decision came after the country – and Maduro’s regime – failed to provide legitimate evidence that verified Maduro won July’s presidential election. 

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, a government office loyal to Maduro, declared him the winner of the recent presidential election despite not publishing completed voting tallies. Meanwhile, the country’s opposition party, led by Maria Corina Machado, presented evidence that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro by a wide margin, the Associated Press reported. Since then, Machado and Gonzalez have balanced hiding from Maduro’s police by helping lead protests against Maduro.

Gonzalez participated in the meeting as well, connecting via video link, according to Reuters.

In response to the opposition to his election victory, Maduro has taken action to suppress dissent in his country by implementing authoritarian-type measures. Currently, it is believed nearly 1,800 people were arrested for participating in demonstrations in the country against Maduro and are being held as political prisoners, Reuters reported.

Despite the EU’s condemnation and rejection of acknowledging the legitimacy of the Maduro regime, such a declaration will have little impact on the country and not provide any meaningful efforts to help Gonzalez become president. According to Reuters, Borrell acknowledged this political reality on Thursday. 

Nevertheless, he suggested the EU’s action sent a “strong statement” and was a suitable first step.