MADRID — Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called Friday for the European Union to lift sanctions on Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez, praising her recent amnesty bill as a step toward democratic dialogue following the U.S.-backed ouster of Nicolás Maduro.
Albares, speaking in Barcelona, described sanctions as tools for progress, not permanence: “Sanctions are never an end in themselves… so that this broad, peaceful and democratic dialogue can take place.” He highlighted Rodríguez’s compliance with Trump administration demands on oil sales and the release of political prisoners, urging the EU to signal support for Venezuela’s “new phase.
“The unanimous amnesty law, enacted Thursday by Venezuela’s legislature, targets certain detainees but draws criticism from rights groups for excluding hundreds more. Caracas denies holding political prisoners, framing them as criminals.
EU sanctions, imposed since 2017-2018 on Rodríguez and others for human rights abuses and electoral irregularities, include asset freezes and travel bans. An EU spokesperson avoided specifics, affirming readiness to aid Venezuela’s democratic transition.
Rodríguez assumed power last month amid U.S. pressure, normalizing ties through concessions. Spain, hosting 200,000 Venezuelan exiles, seeks broader releases to enable returns. The appeal underscores EU divisions, balancing Maduro-era penalties with incentives for reform in the oil-rich nation.