The European Union has sanctioned 19 senior officials of the Maduro regime for “undermining democracy”

The European Union approved new sanctions on Venezuela on Monday, adding 19 officials to its list for “serious human rights violations “ Yes “Undermine democracy”After the December 6 elections, which EU countries do not recognize because they believe they do not meet democratic standards.

EU foreign ministers have targeted the 19 asset freeze and travel bans “In view of the deterioration of the situation in Venezuela after the elections of December 2020”. The main opposition parties boycotted the elections.

The decision affects, among other things, the police commander Remigio Ceballos; to the governor of the state of Zulia, Omar José Prieto; the president of the National Electoral Council, Indira Alfonzo, and two deputies of the National Assembly.

“Those added to the list are responsible, in particular, for undermine the electoral rights of the opposition and the democratic functioning of the National Assembly, and of serious human rights violations and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, ”the ministers said in a statement.

The block clarified that the measures are not designed to “have negative humanitarian effects or unintended consequences for the Venezuelan population, and they can be reversed”.

“The EU will continue to participate and work with all interested parties in Venezuela to promote peaceful dialogue and democratic solution and sustainable in the face of crises in the country, ”he added.

With that, the number of Venezuelans facing EU sanctions rises to 55. The list includes 55 people, including Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez and Diosdado Cabello, number two of dictator Nicolás Maduro.

The bloc began imposing sanctions on Venezuela in 2017 when Maduro suppressed the opposition and also imposed an arms embargo that could be used in internal repression.

Once a rich oil nation, Venezuela is now mired in a deep economic crisis, that critics attribute to two decades of failed socialist policies that left the nation bankrupt and its infrastructure in ruins.

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