The EU Foreign Minister targeted 19 officials with asset freezes and travel bans in light of the worsening situation in Venezuela after the December 2020 elections, which were boycotted by main opposition parties.

“The Council today added 19 leading Venezuelan officials to the list of those subject to restrictive measures, due to their role in acts and decisions undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country, or as a result of serious human rights violations,” the ministers said.

The ministers underlined that these targeted measures were designed not to have adverse humanitarian effects or unintended consequences for the Venezuelan population, and could be reversed.

The number of the Venezuelan officials that are now subject to EU sanctions has risen to 55.