Venezuela: New US Sanctions, Lima Group and EU Opposition to Military Intervention

The United States has imposed new sanctions against the Venezuelan government and has asked its allies to block Caracas's access to the assets of the state oil company. At the same time, several countries in the Americas, part of the group known as 'Lima,' and the European Union have opposed 'the use of force' for change. The US Treasury has targeted four governors of Venezuela, supporters of Nicolas Maduro, whose legitimacy is being challenged, with sanctions. Their access to assets they hold in the US has been blocked. The new sanctions were announced in Bogotá, Colombia, where Mike Pence, the US Vice President, and Juan Guaido, the opposition leader, met and discussed with members of the Lima Group. Guaido has asked the international community to keep all options on the table regarding Venezuela. The Lima Group was formed in 2017 by 12 countries in the Americas, including Canada and several Latin American countries, to find a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crisis. Mike Pence emphasized in Colombia that the US will support Guaido until 'freedom returns' to Venezuela. He has urged Lima Group members to immediately block Venezuelan officials' access to their country's oil company assets and transfer these assets to Guaido's 'government.' Guaido recently swore in as interim president of Venezuela in front of hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters. The US and over 50 countries have recognized his interim presidency and the holding of presidential elections in Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro enjoys support from Russia, Iran, Turkey, and several other countries and has rejected holding elections. Canada has stated it is in discussions with its allies to increase sanctions against the Venezuelan government. This country and other Lima Group members have also asked the International Criminal Court to consider the prevention of foreign aid transfers by Maduro's government as a 'crime against humanity.' The International Criminal Court, based in the Netherlands, was established to address crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity. Nonetheless, Canada and other Lima Group members have emphasized that 'the transition to democracy must be peaceful, carried out by the people of Venezuela, and in accordance with constitutional and international laws; this transition must be accompanied by political and diplomatic support and should not involve the use of force.' The group has also warned of 'serious threats' against Guaido, the opposition leader. The European Union has also stressed the need to avoid military intervention. A spokesperson for Federica Mogherini, the EU's chief foreign policy representative, stated that 'what is certainly clear is that we need a peaceful political transition, by the people of Venezuela themselves, and in a democratic manner, which certainly means refraining from the use of force.' Mike Pence has stated in Colombia, 'We hope that the transition to democracy will occur peacefully.' However, he added, 'all options are on the table.' Previously, Trump had also emphasized that military options and the use of force against the Venezuelan government are possible and have not been ruled out. After Maduro's military and security forces blocked the entry of humanitarian aid from the borders of Brazil and Colombia into the country, resulting in at least two deaths, Guaido tweeted, 'I officially propose to the international community: we must keep all options on the table for the return of freedom to our country.' Foreign humanitarian aid (mainly from the US) has been sent at the request of Maduro's opponents. Thousands of opposition supporters headed to the border to ensure the aid entered, but the military blocked the entry of trucks, and during clashes and military attacks on protesters, at least two people were killed. Opponents say the transfer of this aid is essential for hundreds of thousands of citizens facing shortages of food and hygiene products. However, Maduro has described these aid efforts as a pretext for military intervention in Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro, a former deputy of Hugo Chavez, has held power since April 2013.