Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2500 of 10 November 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (1), and in particular Article 17(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/2063.

(2) On 10 November 2022, considering the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2201 (2), which renewed the restrictive measures in place until 14 November 2023, including all designations. On the same day the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2194 (3), which amended the statement of reasons for 17 listed persons.

(3) The Council has reviewed the restrictive measures in place in accordance with Article 17(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2063. Based on that review, the restrictive measures against all persons in the list set out therein, with the exception of one deceased person, should be renewed until 14 May 2024, and the statement of reasons for 16 persons should be updated.

(4) These measures do not affect the general population and can be reversed in light of progress towards the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Venezuela.

(5) Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 10 November 2023.

For the Council The President P. NAVARRO RÍOS

(1) OJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 21.

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2201 of 10 November 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 292, 11.11.2022, p. 61).

(3) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2194 of 10 November 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 292, 11.11.2022, p. 24).