European nations mull options on Venezuela

Group eyes sanctions without derailing talks

BOGOTA, Colombia — European nations are considering imposing sanctions on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and several top officials for their recent crackdown on political opponents, but divisions remain over the timing of any action for fear of derailing a negotiated exit to the country’s crisis, The Associated Press has learned.

The financial and travel restrictions are being mulled by a core group of five nations — Britain, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands — before being proposed to the European Council, said diplomats and members of the Venezuelan opposition with knowledge of the plan.

Five sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the deliberations publicly.

While Maduro is among a dozen officials who could be hit with sanctions, no final decision has been made, two people said. The group still needs to solve internal divisions before making a formal proposal to the European Union’s executive branch.

Greater consensus exists for punishing top members of the armed forces and judiciary who have been instrumental in the arrest of allies of opposition leader Juan Guaidó, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, whose family is believed to live in Spain.

Also on the list is Communications Minister Jorge Rodríguez, a top Maduro aide and envoy to talks with the opposition sponsored by Norway, and Jorge Márquez, who is head of the communications regulator that was responsible for pulling the plug on Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 and Britain’s BBC this year.

Progress is being made on building a solid legal case for the restrictions, but the main obstacle is the uncertain impact it could have on a mediation effort by Norway between representatives of Maduro and Guaidó, the sources added.

“Our priority is not to impose new sanctions. But neither is it to relax pressure on members of the Venezuelan government,” a Spanish foreign ministry official said. “The primary focus at the moment is the dialogue in Norway.”

After two rounds of meetings in Norway, the opposition had not agreed by Saturday to a third round scheduled to start next week in Barbados, three diplomats said.

Guaidó, who has been recognized as Venezuela’s interim president by more than 50 countries, including the United States and most EU members, has pledged not to return to the negotiating table until Maduro is ready to call early presidential elections.

The Swedish government also confirmed Friday that it hosted talks this past week among powers with interests in Venezuela.

The talks in Stockholm were not attended by either side in the Venezuelan power struggle but included diplomats from Russia — Maduro’s main financial and military backer — and Enrique Iglesias, the new EU envoy for Venezuela.