Decision (CFSP) 2020/898 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela

Summary:

Decision (CSFP) 2020/898 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 29 June 2020 - amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning sanctions in view of the situation in Venezuela.

Further information:

Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 and Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 set out the restricted measures on Venezuela introduced in November 2017. They include an embargo on arms and on equipment for internal repression and well as a travel ban and an asset freeze on listed individuals.

This Decision adds 11 leading Venezuelan officials to the Annex listing those subject to restrictive measures, because of their role in acts and decisions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.

The individuals added to the list were responsible notably for acting against the democratic functioning of the National Assembly, including by stripping the parliamentary immunity of several members of its members, not least its president. Actions motivating the decision for listing also include initiating politically motivated prosecutions and creating obstacles to a political and democratic solution to the crisis in Venezuela, as well as serious violations of human rights and restrictions of fundamental freedoms.

As retaliation to this Decision, the Venezuelan authorities decided to expel the EU's ambassador to the country.

• Primary Source

News

Bloomberg, 29/06/2020: Venezuela’s Maduro Expels EU Ambassador Over New Sanctions https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-29/venezuela-s-maduro-expels-eu-ambassador-over-new-sanctions

Reuters, 29/06/2020: Venezuela's Maduro orders EU envoy to leave following fresh sanctions https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN24031I

Deutsche Welle, 29/06/2020: Maduro orders EU envoy to leave Venezuela over sanctions https://p.dw.com/p/3eXmo

TeleSUR, 29/06/2020: Venezuela Venezuela Expels EU Ambassador After Sanctions Imposed https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Expels-EU-Ambassador-After-Sanctions-Imposed-20200629-0022.html

Jornal Económico, 30/06/2020: Venezuela: Colombia, Bolivia and Paraguay condemn expulsion of EU ambassador https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/en/news/venezuela-colombia-bolivia-and-paraguay-condemn-expulsion-of-the-european-union-ambassador-607059

BBC News, 30/06/2020: Venezuela tells EU ambassador to leave country https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-53230015

France24, 30/06/2020: Venezuela's Maduro gives EU ambassador 72 hours to leave the country https://www.france24.com/en/20200630-venezuela-s-maduro-gives-eu-ambassador-72-hours-to-leave-the-country

EurActiv, 30/06/2020: Maduro gives EU ambassador 72 hours to leave Venezuela https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/maduro-gives-eu-ambassador-72-hours-to-leave-venezuela/

Euronews, 30/06/2020: Venezuela: Maduro expels EU ambassador after Brussels imposes sanctions https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/30/venezuela-maduro-expels-eu-ambassador-after-brussels-imposes-sanctions

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Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/06/2020: Venezuela: eleven officials added to sanctions list https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/06/29/venezuela-eleven-officials-added-to-sanctions-list/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 30/06/2020: Venezuela: Declaration by the High Representative, on behalf of the European Union, on the latest developments in Venezuela https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/06/30/venezuela-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-latest-developments-in-venezuela/

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