In an own-initiative report on relations between the EU and Latin America that was adopted on Wednesday 13 September, the European Parliament states that the European Union should freeze the European assets of all Venezuelans involved in serious human rights violations, and should restrict the access of these targeted people to EU territory.
The MEPs condemn the elections in Venezuela at the end of July for the formation of a constituent assembly, and they describe these elections as violating the separation of powers in the country. They do not recognise the measures and decisions taken by the newly created assembly, due to its lack of legitimacy.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has previously spoken of a certain openness of some member states as to the possibility of taking out targeted sanctions against the Maduro regime (see EUROPE 11858).
On Thursday 14 September, the EPP Group is reported to have chosen to present the political opposition to the Maduro regime as a candidate for the 2017 Sakharov Prize (which rewards human rights defenders). The ALDE Group could also support this idea, according to a European Parliament source.
A month from the EU-CELAC summit in San Salvador, the MEPS underline the need to strengthen trade links and cooperation with the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC). They advocate accelerating the ongoing negotiations for the update of the EU-Mexico and EU-Chile free trade agreements, strengthening police and military cooperation, and strengthening cooperation for addressing natural and humanitarian disasters. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)