EU EXTENDS SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA FOR SIX MONTHS, NO LONGER FOR ONE YEAR​

The European Council announced this Monday, November 13, the decision to extend “exceptionally” the restrictive measures against Venezuela for six months instead of one year after considering as “a positive and necessary step” the agreement reached on October 17 between the government and the opposition of that country in Barbados.

The Council adopted this decision after positively evaluating the agreement, which it considered part of “a process of inclusive dialogue towards the restoration of democracy in Venezuela”. It therefore decided to shorten the duration of the next renewal of sanctions from 12 to 6 months.

The Council has recalled in a statement that the EU restrictive measures against Venezuela in force since November 2017, “were imposed in response to the continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law and human rights” and with the aim of promoting democratic solutions.

These measures include an embargo on arms and equipment for internal repression, a travel ban and an asset freeze on 54 individuals. However, the Council has clarified that these are specific “flexible and reversible measures that are designed not to harm the Venezuelan population”.

Thus, it has explained that the relaxation or revocation of the measures will depend on “the progress of the situation and the implementation of the political agreement”.

He pointed out that “progress made towards the unconditional release of all those unjustly detained”, freedom of expression including for members of the press, the independence of the electoral process and judicial institutions allowing for credible, inclusive, transparent and democratic elections, and respect for human and political rights will also be taken into account.

This news was originally published in Aquí Europa.