EU extends Venezuela sanctions as global pressure mounts
The European Union has expanded its sanctions on Venezuela by adding more individuals to the blacklist. This comes in response to the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro for a third term as president. The election outcomes have been widely rejected by the international community, including Brazil and Colombia.
The European Union has opted to extend sanctions on Venezuela for another year due to the political situation in the country. The EU added 15 new names to the list of individuals facing restrictions, including members of the National Electoral Council, judges, and security officials.
The sanctions comprise asset freezes and a ban on providing funds to those listed, along with a travel ban within the European Union. In total, 69 individuals are now subject to these measures. The decision was made due to "persistent actions undermining democracy and the rule of law" alongside human rights violations in Venezuela.
The European Union first imposed sanctions on Venezuela in November 2017, including an arms embargo and equipment intended for internal repression. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, recalled that on 28 July 2024, millions of Venezuelans voted for democratic change, offering significant support to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
In 2024, Nicolás Maduro declared victory, claiming over 60% of the vote. These results were immediately contested by the opposition and a significant portion of the international community, including Brazil and Colombia, who regarded them as unrepresentative of the genuine will of the citizens. The opposition highlighted low voter turnout and numerous allegations of fraud.
International reactions
On Friday, in addition to the EU, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced new sanctions against high-ranking Venezuelan officials. The Venezuelan authorities refused to publish the official polling station records, leaving the announced results unverified.
In the conclusions from the EU summit on 19 December 2024, leaders expressed concern about the situation in Venezuela, calling for the release of all political prisoners and adherence to international law obligations. Reports of opposition protests accompanying Maduro's inauguration are emerging from Caracas.
The United States accuses Maduro of "narco-terrorism," specifically flooding the US with cocaine. They are offering a $25 million (£20 million) reward for information leading to the arrest of the president of Venezuela.
