EU restricts arms, travel from Venezuela

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Monday 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.

“These measures will be used in a gradual and flexible manner and can be expanded, by targeting those involved in the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law and the violation of human rights,” the ministers said in a statement.

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