The European Union regrets the expulsion of its ambassador from Venezuela and calls on the authorities of this country to reconsider this decision, representatives of the EU press service said on February 24.
“The EU deeply regrets this decision, which will only lead to further isolation of Venezuela. We urge you to reconsider this decision, “RIA Novosti quotes the words of a press service representative.
Venezuela will be able to overcome the ongoing crisis only through negotiations and dialogue, the EU said.
Earlier that day, the representative of the European Union Isabel Brilante Pedroso was declared persona non grata by the Venezuelan authorities and was given 72 hours to leave the country. The decision to expel was made in response to the EU sanctions against Caracas, Gazeta.ru writes.
On February 22, the European Union expanded the sanctions list. Venezuela has also been affected by new restrictions; 55 people are now blacklisted.
In particular, there were the chairman of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council Indira Alfonso, the vice-chairman of the NIS Leonardo Morales, the head of the Strategic Operational Command of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, Admiral Remigio Ceballos Ichaso, as well as members of the National Assembly and judges.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned the “arbitrary” EU sanctions, which “have no legal basis in the norms of international law.”