EU Prepares Sanctions Against Venezuela

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves as he arrives for a rally with supporters in Caracas, Venezuela November 7, 2017. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS/Files

Reuters: EU readies sanctions on Venezuela, approves arms embargo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers approved economic sanctions, including an arms embargo, on Venezuela on Monday, saying regional elections last month marred by reported irregularities had deepened the country’s crisis.

Anxious not to push Caracas any closer to economic and political collapse as debt restructuring talks begin, EU governments held back from targeting any individuals.

The bloc instead left names for a later stage to try to persuade President Nicholas Maduro to calm the situation.

“Everything we do is aimed at seeking dialogue between the government and the opposition to find a democratic and peaceful solution,” Spain’s Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told reporters at a meeting with his counterparts where the sanctions decision was made.

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Update: EU bans sale of arms to Venezuela after Britain sells riot gear to regime (The Independent)

WNU Editor: The EU is holding back on imposing sanctions in the hope that Venezuelan President Maduro and his government would institute changes that would calm the situation. I say they are wasting their time .... Venezuelan President Maduro and his government are not going to change .... impose the sanctions now.