Venezuela's Amnesty Law reopens the debate on sanctions in the European Union

Spain's Foreign Minister announced that he will formally request the lifting of the restrictive measures following the approval of a law to free political prisoners in Venezuela.

The debate over the Amnesty Law in Venezuela and other actions seen as signs that Delcy Rodríguez's government is “on the right track” have given Spain the impetus to ask the European Union (EU) to lift sanctions against the Caribbean country.

Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, said that they will formally ask the EU to withdraw the sanctions as a demonstration that Venezuela is moving in the right direction, and that the EU should send a signal in keeping with this new Venezuelan reality.

Last week, Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously approved a historic amnesty law for political prisoners convicted in episodes of political crisis between 2002 and 2025. The legislation excludes those who promoted or took part in armed actions or the use of force against citizens, sovereignty and the integrity of Venezuelan territory.

Following the news, Albares expressed optimism that the law would be as broad as possible and would serve to ensure that “the prisoners walk free.” At the same time, he urged Venezuela's acting president to keep taking steps in the same direction.

The European Union responded through its spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, who recalled that the EU's sanctions policy is not an end in itself, while stressing that the European authorities are prepared to “use all the tools at our disposal to support a transition to democracy in Venezuela.”

The EU applies individual sanctions against 69 people whom it considers directly responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Venezuela. The current acting president has been on that list since 2018.

Among the measures affecting both Rodríguez and the other 68 people is a ban on entering or transiting through EU countries; in addition, their assets are frozen and cannot be used or transferred. The sanctions also prevent these individuals from receiving funds or economic resources within the European area, directly or indirectly. This also includes European companies or institutions.

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president a few days after Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas on January 3, following the bombing of that country by the United States. Both were jailed in New York on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes.

Under Article 234 of Venezuela's Constitution, in the event of the president's temporary absence, the replacement assumes office for a maximum of 90 days, extendable for an equal period if the National Assembly so decides, which opens a window for a six-month mandate for Rodríguez before calling elections. This scenario represents an opportunity for several EU countries, especially Spain, to improve relations with Venezuela.

What does Brussels require to lift the sanctions?

In December 2025, the EU Foreign Affairs Council decided to extend the sanctions against the 69 people linked to the Venezuelan government, including the current acting president, for another year, until January 10, 2027.

According to the official document, the decision was taken due to persistent actions against democracy, such as human rights violations and the repression of civil society and of the opposition to the Chavista government, also related to the events that followed the presidential elections of July 28, 2024.

The European Union makes clear that the sanctions are not intended to affect the Venezuelan population or its economy in general, but to put pressure on the authorities and government officials to move toward a negotiated, democratic solution that respects human rights.

European diplomatic sources have noted on several occasions that the assessment is carried out periodically and that the Foreign Affairs Council can adjust, suspend or strengthen the sanctions depending on how the political situation in Venezuela evolves. In this regard, the approval of the Amnesty Law could become a central element in the political review of the decision.

Spain's request is unlikely to bring about changes in the short term, since it would require the consensus of the 27 EU member states, which implies a longer political debate. Both the Spanish government and the other governments are calling for verifiable guarantees on human rights, judicial independence and political participation. They also maintain that the responsibility for ending the crisis in Venezuela lies with its authorities and that the sanctions are not the cause of it.

Guillermo Whpei

President of Fundación para la Democracia