(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 13 - The chargé d'affaires of Venezuela on Friday was summoned at the foreign ministry in Rome at the indication of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
    The meeting was aimed at stressing the need to guarantee consular assistance and access to Italian detainees in Venezuela who have been arrested or held for political motives, also following presidential elections in July.
    The request to release political prisoners was reiterated at the meeting, well-informed sources said.
    During the talks, the position of the Italian government on the situation in Venezuela was stressed, already reflected in statement of G7 foreign ministers issued in Fiuggi on November 26 2024.
    Italy will continue to support the efforts of regional partners to facilitate a democratic and peaceful transition, which corresponds to the will of the Venezuelan people following the elections held on July 28.
    Italy's foreign ministry, embassy in Caracas and the Italian consular network in Venezuela are working to safeguard and assist the communities of Italians and Italian descendants who reside in the country, also through a permanent task force set up at Tajani's request, said the sources. (ANSA).