Venezuela Puts Sanctions, Expels French, Italian, And Dutch Diplomats Over Maduro’s Third Term

Venezuela has reduced the number of accredited diplomats at the French, Italian, and Dutch embassies to three due to the hostile reaction by their governments over the third-term inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro. There are now severe travel restrictions on those diplomats, whom the Venezuelan foreign ministry only grants a written permit to leave the capital city, 40 kilometers from Plaza Bolívar in Caracas.

This diplomatic step is taken at a time when the international world does not seem to let up in its attacks against Maduro’s presidency following a contested election in July. The United States has enhanced its opposition towards Maduro’s government by imposing new sanctions and hiking the reward for the capture of Venezuelan president to $25 million. Other countries like the US, UK, and the EU refused to recognize the legitimacy of Maduro, claiming that the election had electoral frauds and was not democratic enough.

Josep Borrell, head of foreign policy for the European Union, along with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stated that Maduro’s election was “undemocratic.” Lammy said that Maduro’s claim to power was “fraudulent.” On Monday, the European Union imposed sanctions on 15 Venezuelan officials, members of the National Electoral Council, judiciary, and security forces implicated in the controversial elections.

This notwithstanding, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to Maduro, where Russia’s lower house speaker will attend the ceremony on behalf of the former. Venezuela has branded the sanction imposed on them by the US, UK, and EU as illegal, which is an attempt at destabilizing the country.

Maduro has ruled the country since 2013 and is not exempt from challenges: many residents are leaving this nation due to its economic and social crisis, while his administration has rejected such sanctions, as part of an “economic war” targeting Venezuela’s sovereignty.