The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, proposed this Monday that the Twenty-Seven study “the review of the European Union sanctions against Venezuela in line with the recent decisions of the United States in that regard and given the positive evolution of the dialogue among Venezuelans.” Albares has raised this measure within the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council this Monday in Luxembourg.
The Venezuelan Government and the Unitary Platform, an organization that includes the main opposition parties, have reached an agreement in Barbados. The root of this matter is that during the second part of next 2024, elections will be held in Venezuela. Said pact affirms “the right of every political party to choose its candidate for the presidential elections freely and in accordance with its internal mechanisms.”
Given this fact, the United States has decided to temporarily lift sanctions on Venezuelan oil companies. This has triggered the release of five political prisoners such as former deputy Juan Requesens and journalist Roland Carreño.
Albares has relied on the approval of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, for the request. Borrell already expressed last July during the summit between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that the EU would lighten sanctions if “inclusive” elections could be held. and “democratic.”
The European Union imposed an embargo on arms and all weapons materials that were used to repress the Venezuelan people, such as a ban on traveling through the European community space and a freeze on property and assets on 55 government officials such as Delcy Rodríguez, vice president of the Government, in the EU.
Albares has anticipated that he will present the issue again at the next council, which will be held on November 13. Crucial date to make a decision because the next day, the 14th, the sanctions will be renewed.
