Venezuela faces arms embargo

VENEZUELA: The European Union is set to impose an arms embargo on Venezuela and will consider further sanctions in response to the political crisis in the South American country, two EU diplomats said.

The measures will bring the EU more into line with the United States, which imposed sanctions earlier this year, and they signal a change of tone in Brussels, which had previously resisted taking a tougher approach towards Caracas.

‘‘The steps were approved today, paving the way for approval (by the bloc’s foreign ministers) next Monday,’’ an EU diplomat said, adding that the ministers’ backing was a formality.

Spain has long pushed for sanctions on those close to President Nicolas Maduro, but the EU has been divided over whom to target. Diplomats said the turning point for EU governments was regional elections that appeared to favour Maduro’s ruling Socialists last month. - Reuters