The decision, which was approved by the European Union’s foreign ministers during their meeting, Monday, brings to 55 the total number of officials and senior officials in the Maduro government who have been sanctioned by the European Union (preventing entry visas and freezing assets in the European Union).
The statement clarified that “these targeted measures are designed in such a way that they do not have negative humanitarian consequences or unintended consequences on the Venezuelan population and can be canceled.”
He pointed out that “the persons who have been added to the list are particularly responsible for the violation of the electoral rights of the opposition and the smooth functioning of democracy in the National Assembly, as well as for the gross violations of human rights and the restriction of basic freedoms.”
Among the personalities targeted by the sanctions were two deputies in the new parliament, “which was not democratically elected”: Jose Bernabe Gutierrez Parra, leader of the “Axion Democratica” party, and Jose Dionisio Preto Rodriguez, leader of the “Primero Justicia” party.
The European Union has also imposed sanctions against Omar Jose Prieto, Governor of Zulia State, Army Commander Remigo Cibalos and three Electoral Council officials, including Council President Indira Alfonzo Isagiri.
The European Union announced in January that it was ready to adopt additional targeted sanctions, given the deteriorating situation in Venezuela after the December 2020 elections.
#European #sanctions #officials #Venezuela
