Venezuela Calls EU Sanctions "Illegal"

(MENAFN) Venezuela’s administration on Monday released a statement strongly denouncing the European Union’s decision to extend sanctions, which it referred to as unilateral coercive actions against the nation.

The Foreign Ministry characterized these measures as "illegitimate, illegal, and contrary to international law," connecting Brussels' move to what it called an "erratic foreign policy."

"The leaders of that bloc have unfortunately chosen to accelerate their own political decline by insisting on a line of sterile hostility against Venezuela," the statement from President Nicolas Maduro’s government declared.

The reaction from Caracas followed the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, during which they approved prolonging the sanctions against Venezuela for an additional year.

The sanctions focus on 69 individuals close to Maduro, keeping them on the EU’s blacklist until Jan. 10, 2027. Brussels defended the continuation of the measures, citing “the persistent actions that undermine democracy and the rule of law, as well as the ongoing human rights violations and repression of civil society and the democratic opposition.”

Originally enacted in November 2017, the sanctions include a travel ban that prevents the listed officials — among them Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez — from entering EU countries.

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