Caracas has criticized the European Union’s new sanctions, saying they highlight the bloc’s lack of autonomy on global issues.
Published December 15, 2025
Venezuela’s government has slammed the European Council over its decision to extend sanctions against the South American country until 2027, calling the measure a “total failure”.
The sanctions, first introduced in 2017, include a ban on arms exports to Venezuela, as well as travel bans and asset freezes for individuals linked to state repression.
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In a statement shared with Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto, Caracas said the sanctions were coercive and in violation of international law, adding that they highlight the European Union’s lack of autonomy on the world stage.
The European Council on Monday morning announced plans to renew sanctions against Venezuela until January 10, 2027, citing “persistent acts undermining democracy and the rule of law” and human rights violations under President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
The punitive measures include an arms and military equipment embargo, a ban on the export of equipment to Venezuela that could be used in domestic repression, including light weapons, ammunition, and surveillance technology, and travel bans affecting government officials, military personnel, and judges linked to human rights violations.
“Useless” sanctions
According to the European Union (EU), as of January this year, 69 people had been subject to asset freezes and travel bans based on sanctions.
The European Council said sanctions will remain in place until the Venezuelan government makes tangible progress on “human rights” and the rule of law and takes steps toward genuine dialogue and a “democratic transition.”
But Venezuela’s government rejected the sanctions, calling them “futile,” calling them part of an “aberrant foreign policy lacking autonomy” and accusing the European Union of “increasing irrelevance as an international actor.”
The EU’s reinstatement of sanctions comes amid growing military threats from US President Donald Trump’s administration, which has amassed troops off Venezuela’s coast and threatened a ground attack on the country. Last week, the White House also announced financial sanctions against three of Maduro’s nephews and six oil tanker and shipping companies associated with them.
Experts say EU sanctions differ from US sanctions because they have a political focus rather than targeting the critical oil sector.
Vitellio Brustrin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, told Al Jazeera: “The European Union’s sanctions have a clearly stated political purpose: to put pressure on regime officials, not the Venezuelan people, to maintain humanitarian and diplomatic channels and to demonstrate disapproval of human rights abuses and the weakening of democracy.”
