Tension mounts between Venezuela and the European Union

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, on Tuesday condemned the expulsion of the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Venezuela, Isabel Brilhante, and assured that "the usual necessary measures of reciprocity" would be taken. Brilhante must leave the South American country within the next 72 hours by order of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. 

"We condemn and reject the expulsion of our ambassador in Caracas," Borrell said in a tweet this morning, in which he stressed that there will be a reciprocal response. In the words of the high representative, "only a negotiated solution among Venezuelans will allow the country to get out of its deep crisis. 

With this expulsion, Maduro responded to the sanctions imposed this Monday by the EU on 11 Venezuelan officials for their role in what he considers acts and decisions against democracy and the rule of law in the American country. 

The individuals added to the EU sanctions list are responsible, in particular, for acting against the democratic functioning of the National Assembly, by removing the parliamentary immunity of several of its members, including its president, Juan Guaidó. 

Other actions attributed to them include politically motivated prosecutions, creating obstacles to a political and democratic solution to the crisis in Venezuela, as well as serious violations of human rights and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of the press and expression. 

Currently 36 persons are subject to sanctions, including a travel ban to the EU and an assets freeze. 

On Tuesday, the EU also summoned the Venezuelan ambassador to the Community institutions, Claudia Salerno Caldera, in response to Nicolas Maduro's decision to expel the EU ambassador to that country, Isabel Brilhante, from Caracas due to the aforementioned new sanctions imposed by the bloc against eight personalities from the Chavista milieu.