EU arms ban on Venezuela

The

European Union has banned arms sales to Venezuela and set up a system to slap asset freezes and travel restrictions on Venezuelan officials as it sought to ramp up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

The move was decided by EU foreign ministers at talks in Brussels. The weapons ban would stop sales of military equipment that could be used for repression or surveillance of Venezuelans.

The ministers said the sanctions could be reversed depending on how Mr Maduro reacts to the demands for more democracy in the South American nation and the release of political prisoners.