European Union 'regrets' Maduro's new term and calls for new elections.

Sputnik Brazil - The European Union has lamented Nicolás Maduro's inauguration for a second term as president of Venezuela, according to a statement from Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

"The EU deeply regrets that its 'call' to hold new presidential elections in accordance with internationally recognized democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order has been ignored and that President Maduro is beginning a new term based on undemocratic elections," the statement said.

According to Kocijancic, "the possibility of a negotiated constitutional solution has become even more distant as the crisis in the Latin American country becomes more acute."

The text indicates that, for the EU, the only way out of the Venezuelan crisis is through a political, democratic and peaceful solution.

The EU is collaborating with regional and international partners to create suitable conditions for the political process in Venezuela and will also monitor the situation in that country.

The European community also called on Maduro "to recognize and respect the function and independence of the National Assembly as a democratically elected institution, to release all political prisoners, to respect the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to immediately address the pressing needs of the population."

Maduro was sworn in on January 10 for a new term until 2025, despite pressure from the Lima Group, a forum of 14 countries in the hemisphere that denounces a "collapse of democratic order" in Venezuela.