Venezuela blasts EU's decision to renew sanctions

Caracas (Venezuela), November 13: The Venezuelan government on Saturday lambasted the decision of the European Union (EU) to renew sanctions against the South American country for another year.
"With this anachronistic decision, the intention is to insist on a completely erroneous strategy, with which the EU has not managed to fulfill its objective of overthrowing the Bolivarian government or separating our people from the political course enshrined in our constitution," said a statement released by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.
The ministry denounced the measures as being "illegally applied ... in a premeditated manner" to "massively punish and violate the human rights of the Venezuelan people," as the sanctions will only "end in limiting access to food, medicine" and other necessities.
"We repudiate the insane policy of resorting to these tools of political blackmail, which are contrary to the principles of democracy and human rights, and institute a dangerous practice contrary to the principles of international law and peaceful coexistence," the statement said.
The ministry said that the Venezuelan people and government would "continue to defend our sovereignty, based on our constitutional principles, reaffirming at all times our independence, gained more than 200 years ago."
The sanctions imposed in 2017 prohibited 36 people from entering the EU and put a freeze on their assets. They also placed an embargo on weapons and equipment that can be used for repressive actions in the country.
Source: Xinhua