Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela
Modified by
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/88of 22 January 2018implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32018R0088, January 22, 2018
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/899of 25 June 2018implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32018R0899, June 25, 2018
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1653of 6 November 2018implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32018R1653, November 7, 2018
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1163of 5 July 2019amending and setting out a single list for the Annexes containing contact details of Member States competent authorities and address for notifications to the European Commission to certain Regulations concerning restrictive measures, 32019R1163, July 8, 2019
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1169of 8 July 2019implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32019R1169, July 9, 2019
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1586of 26 September 2019implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32019R1586, September 27, 2019
  • Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1889of 11 November 2019amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32019R1889, November 12, 2019
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891of 11 November 2019implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in VenezuelaCorrigendum to Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891 of 11 November 2019 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela(Official Journal of the European Union L 291 of 12 November 2019), 32019R189132019R1891R(01), November 12, 2019
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/897of 29 June 2020implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32020R0897, June 29, 2020
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1696of 12 November 2020implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32020R1696, November 13, 2020
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/275of 22 February 2021implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32021R0275, February 22, 2021
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1959of 11 November 2021implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32021R1959, November 12, 2021
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/595of 11 April 2022amending certain Regulations concerning restrictive measures and setting out a single list for the Annexes to those Regulations containing the contact details of Member States’ competent authorities and the address for notifications to the European Commission, 32022R0595, April 12, 2022
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2194of 10 November 2022implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32022R2194, November 11, 2022
  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2500of 10 November 2023implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32023R2500, November 13, 2023
  • Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2694of 27 November 2023amending certain Council Regulations concerning restrictive measures in order to insert provisions on humanitarian exceptions, 32023R2694, November 28, 2023
Corrected by
  • Corrigendum to Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891 of 11 November 2019 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela, 32019R1891R(01), December 19, 2019
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063of 13 November 2017concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela
Article 1For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:(a)"claim" means any claim, whether asserted by legal proceedings or not, made before, on or after the date of entry into force of this Regulation, under or in connection with a contract or transaction, and includes in particular:(i)a claim for performance of any obligation arising under or in connection with a contract or transaction;(ii)a claim for extension or payment of a bond, financial guarantee or indemnity of whatever form;(iii)a claim for compensation in respect of a contract or transaction;(iv)a counterclaim;(v)a claim for the recognition or enforcement, including by the procedure of exequatur, of a judgment, an arbitration award or an equivalent decision, wherever made or given;(b)"contract or transaction" means any transaction of whatever form and whatever the applicable law, whether comprising one or more contracts or similar obligations made between the same or different parties; for this purpose, "contract" includes a bond, guarantee or indemnity, in particular a financial guarantee or financial indemnity, and credit, whether legally independent or not, as well as any related provision arising under, or in connection with, the transaction;(c)"competent authorities" refers to the competent authorities of the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III;(d)"economic resources" means assets of every kind, whether tangible or intangible, movable or immovable, which are not funds, but may be used to obtain funds, goods or services;(e)"freezing of economic resources" means preventing the use of economic resources to obtain funds, goods or services in any way, including, but not limited to, by selling, hiring or mortgaging them;(f)"freezing of funds" means preventing any move, transfer, alteration or use of, access to, or dealing with funds in any way that would result in any change in their volume, amount, location, ownership, possession, character or destination or other change that would enable the funds to be used, including portfolio management;(g)"funds" means financial assets and benefits of every kind, including, but not limited to:(i)cash, cheques, claims on money, drafts, money orders and other payment instruments;(ii)deposits with financial institutions or other entities, balances on accounts, debts and debt obligations;(iii)publicly and privately traded securities and debt instruments, including stocks and shares, certificates representing securities, bonds, notes, warrants, debentures and derivatives contracts;(iv)interest, dividends or other income on or value accruing from or generated by assets;(v)credit, right of set-off, guarantees, performance bonds or other financial commitments;(vi)letters of credit, bills of lading, bills of sale; and(vii)documents showing evidence of an interest in funds or financial resources;(h)"technical assistance" means any technical support related to repairs, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, maintenance or any other technical service, and may take forms such as instruction, advice, training, transmission of working knowledge or skills, or consulting services, including verbal forms of assistance;(i)"brokering services" means:(i)the negotiation or arrangement of transactions for the purchase, sale or supply of goods and technology or financial and technical services from a third country to any other third country, or(ii)the selling or buying of goods and technology or financial and technical services that are located in a third country for their transfer to another third country;(j)"territory of the Union" means the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in the Treaty, including their airspace.
Article 21.It shall be prohibited:(a)to provide, directly or indirectly, technical assistance, brokering services and other services related to the goods and technology listed in the EU Common List of Military Equipment ("the Common Military List") and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of goods and technology listed in the Common Military List to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(b)to provide, directly or indirectly, financing or financial assistance related to the goods and technology listed in the Common Military List, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, for any sale, supply, transfer or export of such items, or for the provision of related technical assistance, brokering services and other services, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela.2.The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to the execution of contracts concluded before 13 November 2017 or to ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts, provided that they comply with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSPCouncil Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99)., in particular with the criteria set out in Article 2 thereof and that the natural or legal persons, entities or bodies seeking to perform the contract have notified the contract to the competent authority of the Member State in which they are established within 5 working days of the entry into force of this Regulation.
Article 3It shall be prohibited:(a)to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, equipment which might be used for internal repression as listed in Annex I, whether or not originating in the Union, to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(b)to provide technical assistance and brokering and other services related to the equipment referred to in point (a), directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(c)to provide financing or financial assistance, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, related to the equipment referred to in point (a), directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela.
Article 41.By way of derogation from Articles 2 and 3, the competent authorities of Member States as listed in Annex III may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate:(a)the provision of financing and financial assistance and technical assistance related to:(i)non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, or for institution-building programmes of the United Nations (UN) and the Union or its Member States or of regional and sub-regional organisations;(ii)material intended for crisis-management operations of the UN and the Union or of regional and sub-regional organisations;(b)the sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment which might be used for internal repression and associated financing and financial and technical assistance, intended solely for humanitarian or protective use or for institution-building programmes of the UN or the Union, or for crisis-management operations of the UN and the Union or of regional and subregional organisations;(c)the sale, supply, transfer or export of demining equipment and materiel for use in demining operations and associated financing and financial and technical assistance.2.Authorisations referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only prior to the activity for which they are requested.
Article 5Articles 2 and 3 shall not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Venezuela by UN personnel, personnel of the Union or its Member States, representatives of the media, and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only.
Article 61.It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, equipment, technology or software identified in Annex II, whether or not originating in the Union, to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela, unless the competent authority of the relevant Member State, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, has given prior authorisation.2.The competent authorities of the Member States, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, shall not grant any authorisation under paragraph 1 if they have reasonable grounds to determine that the equipment, technology or software in question would be used for internal repression by Venezuela's government, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or any person or entity acting on their behalf or at their direction.3.Annex II shall include equipment, technology or software intended primarily for use in the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.4.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this Article, within four weeks of the authorisation.
Article 71.Unless the competent authority of the relevant Member State, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, has given prior authorisation in accordance with Article 6(2), it shall be prohibited:(a)to provide, directly or indirectly, technical assistance or brokering services related to the equipment, technology and software identified in Annex II, or related to the installation, provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of the equipment and technology identified in Annex II or to the provision, installation, operation or updating of any software identified in Annex II, to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela;(b)to provide, directly or indirectly, financing or financial assistance related to the equipment, technology and software identified in Annex II to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela;(c)to provide any telecommunication or internet monitoring or interception services of any kind to, or for the direct or indirect benefit of, Venezuela's government, public bodies, corporations and agencies or any person or entity acting on their behalf or at their direction.2.For the purposes of point (c) of paragraph 1, "telecommunication or internet monitoring or interception services" means those services that provide, in particular using equipment, technology or software as identified in Annex II, access to and delivery of a subject's incoming and outgoing telecommunications and call- associated data for the purpose of its extraction, decoding, recording, processing, analysis or storing, or any other related activity.
Article 81.All funds and economic resources belonging to or owned, held or controlled by any natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annexes IV and V shall be frozen.2.No funds or economic resources shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annexes IV and V.3.Annex IV shall include:(a)natural or legal persons, entities and bodies responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela;(b)natural or legal persons, entities and bodies whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine democracy or the rule of law in Venezuela.4.Annex V shall include natural or legal persons, entities and bodies associated with the persons and entities referred to in paragraph 3.5.Annexes IV and V shall include the grounds for the listing of the persons, entities and bodies concerned.6.Annexes IV and V shall also include, where available, information necessary to identify the natural or legal persons, entities and bodies concerned. With regard to natural persons, such information may include names including aliases, date and place of birth, nationality, passport and ID card numbers, gender, address, if known, and function or profession. With regard to legal persons, entities and bodies, such information may include names, place and date of registration, registration number and place of business.
Article 91.By way of derogation from Article 8, the competent authorities of the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, or the making available of certain funds or economic resources, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, after having determined that the funds or economic resources are:(a)necessary to satisfy the basic needs of natural and legal persons listed in Annex IV or V, and dependent family members of such natural persons, including payments for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums and public utility charges;(b)intended exclusively for payment of reasonable professional fees or reimbursement of incurred expenses associated with the provision of legal services;(c)intended exclusively for payment of fees or service charges for routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds or economic resources;(d)necessary for extraordinary expenses, provided that the relevant competent authority has notified the grounds on which it considers that a specific authorisation should be granted to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the Commission at least two weeks prior to authorisation; or(e)to be paid into or from an account of a diplomatic or consular mission or an international organisation enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, insofar as such payments are intended to be used for official purposes of the diplomatic or consular mission or international organisation.2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1.
Article 9a1.Article 8(1) and (2) shall not apply to the making available of funds or economic resources necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs where such assistance and other activities are carried out by:(a)the United Nations (UN), including its programmes, funds and other entities and bodies, as well as its specialised agencies and related organisations;(b)international organisations;(c)humanitarian organisations having observer status with the UN General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations;(d)bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the UN Humanitarian Response Plans, UN Refugee Response Plans, other UN appeals or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs;(e)organisations and agencies to which the Union has granted the Humanitarian Partnership Certificate or which are certified or recognised by a Member State in accordance with national procedures;(f)Member States’ specialised agencies; or(g)the employees, grantees, subsidiaries or implementing partners of the entities referred to in points (a) to (f) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities.2.Without prejudice to paragraph 1, and by way of derogation from Article 8(1) and (2), the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, or the making available of certain funds or economic resources, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, after having determined that the provision of such funds or economic resources is necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs.3.In the absence of a negative decision, a request for information or a notification for additional time from the relevant competent authority within five working days of the date of receipt of a request for authorisation under paragraph 2, that authorisation shall be considered granted.4.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisations granted under paragraphs 2 and 3 within four weeks of such authorisation.
Article 101.By way of derogation from Article 8, the competent authorities in the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources if the following conditions are met:(a)the funds or economic resources are subject to an arbitral decision rendered prior to the date on which the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in Article 8 was included in Annex IV or V, or of a judicial or administrative decision rendered in the Union, or a judicial decision enforceable in the Member State concerned, prior to, on or after that date;(b)the funds or economic resources will be used exclusively to satisfy claims secured by such a decision or recognised as valid in such a decision, within the limits set by applicable laws and regulations governing the rights of persons having such claims;(c)the decision is not for the benefit of a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V; and(d)recognising the decision is not contrary to public policy in the Member State concerned.2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1.
Article 111.By way of derogation from Article 8 and provided that a payment by a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V is due under a contract or agreement that was concluded by, or an obligation that arose for, the natural or legal person, entity or body concerned before the date on which that natural or legal person, entity or body was included in Annex IV or V, the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, provided that the competent authority concerned has determined that:(a)the funds or economic resources are to be used for a payment by a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V;(b)the payment is not in breach of Article 8(2)2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1 within four weeks of the authorisation.3.Article 8(2) shall not prevent the crediting of the frozen accounts by financial or credit institutions that receive funds transferred by third parties to the account of a listed natural or legal person, entity or body, provided that any additions to such accounts will also be frozen. The financial or credit institution shall inform the relevant competent authority about any such transaction without delay.4.Provided that any such interest, other earnings and payments are frozen in accordance with Article 8, Article 8(2) shall not apply to the addition to frozen accounts of:(a)interest or other earnings on those accounts;(b)payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations that were concluded or arose before the date on which the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in Article 8 was included in Annex IV or V; or(c)payments due under judicial, administrative or arbitral decisions rendered in a Member State or enforceable in the Member State concerned.
Article 121.Without prejudice to the applicable rules concerning reporting, confidentiality and professional secrecy, natural and legal persons, entities and bodies shall:(a)supply immediately any information which would facilitate compliance with this Regulation, such as information on accounts and amounts frozen in accordance with Article 8, to the competent authority of the Member State where they are resident or located, and shall transmit such information, directly or through the Member State, to the Commission; and(b)cooperate with the competent authority in any verification of the information referred to in point (a).2.Any additional information received directly by the Commission shall be made available to the Member States.3.Any information provided or received in accordance with this Article shall be used only for the purposes for which it was provided or received.
Article 131.The freezing of funds and economic resources or the refusal to make funds or economic resources available, carried out in good faith on the basis that such action is in accordance with this Regulation, shall not give rise to liability of any kind on the part of the natural or legal person or entity or body implementing it, or its directors or employees, unless it is proved that the funds and economic resources were frozen or withheld as a result of negligence.2.Actions by natural or legal persons, entities or bodies shall not give rise to any liability of any kind on their part if they did not know, and had no reasonable cause to suspect, that their actions would infringe the measures set out in this Regulation.
Article 14It shall be prohibited to participate, knowingly and intentionally, in activities the object or effect of which is to circumvent the measures laid down in this Regulation.
Article 151.No claims in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which has been affected, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the measures imposed under this Regulation, including claims for indemnity or any other claim of this type, such as a claim for compensation or a claim under a guarantee, in particular a claim for extension or payment of a bond, guarantee or indemnity, in particular a financial guarantee or financial indemnity, of whatever form, shall be satisfied, if they are made by:(a)designated natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annexes IV and V;(b)any natural or legal person, entity or body acting through or on behalf of one of the persons, entities or bodies referred to in point (a).2.In any proceedings for the enforcement of a claim, the onus of proving that satisfying the claim is not prohibited by paragraph 1 shall be on the natural or legal person, entity or body seeking the enforcement of that claim.3.This Article is without prejudice to the right of the natural or legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in paragraph 1 to judicial review of the legality of the non-performance of contractual obligations in accordance with this Regulation.
Article 161.The Commission and Member States shall inform each other of the measures taken under this Regulation and share any other relevant information at their disposal in connection with this Regulation, in particular information concerning:(a)funds frozen under Article 8 and authorisations granted under Articles 9 to 11;(b)violation and enforcement problems and judgments handed down by national courts.2.The Member States shall immediately inform each other and the Commission of any other relevant information at their disposal which might affect the effective implementation of this Regulation.
Article 171.Where the Council decides to subject a natural or legal person, entity or body to the measures referred to in Article 8, it shall amend Annex IV or V accordingly.2.The Council shall communicate its decision, including the grounds for listing, to the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in paragraph 1, either directly, if the address is known, or through the publication of a notice, providing such natural or legal person, entity or body with an opportunity to present observations.3.Where observations are submitted, or where substantial new evidence is presented, the Council shall review its decision and inform the natural or legal person, entity or body accordingly.4.The list set out in Annexes IV and V shall be reviewed at regular intervals and at least every 12 months.5.The Commission shall be empowered to amend Annex III on the basis of information supplied by Member States.
Article 181.Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.2.Member States shall notify the Commission of the rules referred to in paragraph 1 without delay after the entry into force of this Regulation and shall notify it of any subsequent amendment.
Article 18a1.The Council, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the "High Representative") may process personal data in order to carry out their tasks under this Regulation. These tasks include:(a)as regards the Council, preparing and making amendments to Annexes IV and V;(b)as regards the High Representative, preparing amendments to Annexes IV and V;(c)as regards the Commission:(i)adding the contents of Annexes IV and V to the electronic consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to Union financial restrictive measures and in the interactive sanctions map, both publicly available;(ii)processing information on the impact of measures taken under this Regulation, such as the value of frozen funds and information on authorisations granted by the competent authorities.2.The Council, the Commission and the High Representative may process, where applicable, relevant data relating to criminal offences committed by listed natural persons, to criminal convictions of such persons or to security measures concerning such persons, only to the extent that such processing is necessary for the preparation of Annexes IV and V.3.For the purposes of this Regulation, the Council, the Commission service listed in Annex III to this Regulation and the High Representative are designated as "controllers" within the meaning of point (8) of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilRegulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39)., in order to ensure that the natural persons concerned can exercise their rights under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.
Article 191.Member States shall designate the competent authorities referred to in this Regulation and identify them on the websites listed in Annex III. Member States shall notify the Commission of any changes in the addresses of their websites listed in Annex III.2.Member States shall notify the Commission of their competent authorities, including the contact details of those competent authorities, without delay after the entry into force of this Regulation, and shall notify it of any subsequent amendment.3.Where this Regulation sets out a requirement to notify, inform or otherwise communicate with the Commission, the address and other contact details to be used for such communication shall be those indicated in Annex III.
Article 20This Regulation shall apply:(a)within the territory of the Union, including its airspace;(b)on board any aircraft or any vessel under the jurisdiction of a Member State;(c)to any person inside or outside the territory of the Union who is a national of a Member State;(d)to any legal person, entity or body, inside or outside the territory of the Union, which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State;(e)to any legal person, entity or body in respect of any business done in whole or in part within the Union.
Article 21This Regulation shall enter into force on the date 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.ANNEX IList of equipment which might be used for internal repression as referred to in Article 31.Firearms, ammunition and related accessories therefor, as follows:1.1.Firearms not controlled by ML 1 and ML 2 of the Common Military List;1.2.Ammunition specially designed for the firearms listed in item 1.1 and specially designed components therefor;1.3.Weapon-sights not controlled by the Common Military List.2.Bombs and grenades not controlled by the Common Military List.3.Vehicles as follows:3.1.Vehicles equipped with a water cannon, specially designed or modified for the purpose of riot control;3.2.Vehicles specially designed or modified to be electrified to repel borders;3.3.Vehicles specially designed or modified to remove barricades, including construction equipment with ballistic protection;3.4.Vehicles specially designed for the transport or transfer of prisoners and/or detainees;3.5.Vehicles specially designed to deploy mobile barriers;3.6.Components for the vehicles specified in items 3.1 to 3.5 specially designed for the purposes of riot control.Note 1This item does not control vehicles specially designed for the purposes of firefighting.Note 2For the purposes of item 3.5, the term "vehicles" includes trailers.4.Explosive substances and related equipment as follows:4.1.Equipment and devices specially designed to initiate explosions by electrical or non-electrical means, including firing sets, detonators, igniters, boosters and detonating cord, and specially designed components therefor; except those specially designed for a specific commercial use consisting of the actuation or operation by explosive means of other equipment or devices the function of which is not the creation of explosions (e.g. car air-bag inflaters, electric-surge arresters of fire sprinkler actuators);4.2.Linear cutting explosive charges not controlled by the Common Military List;4.3.Other explosives not controlled by the Common Military List and related substances as follows:(a)amatol;(b)nitrocellulose (containing more than 12,5 % nitrogen);(c)nitroglycol;(d)pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN);(e)picryl chloride;(f)2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT).5.Protective equipment not controlled by ML 13 of the Common Military List as follows:5.1.Body armour providing ballistic and/or stabbing protection;5.2.Helmets providing ballistic and/or fragmentation protection, anti-riot helmets, antiriot shields and ballistic shields.Note:This item does not control:equipment specially designed for sports activities;equipment specially designed for safety of work requirements.6.Simulators, other than those controlled by ML 14 of the Common Military List, for training in the use of firearms, and specially designed software therefor.7.Night vision, thermal imaging equipment and image intensifier tubes, other than those controlled by the Common Military List.8.Razor barbed wire.9.Military knives, combat knives and bayonets with blade lengths in excess of 10 cm.10.Production equipment specially designed for the items specified in this list.11.Specific technology for the development, production or use of the items specified in this list.ANNEX IIEquipment, technology and software referred to in Articles 6 and 7General noteNotwithstanding the contents of this Annex, it shall not apply to:(a)equipment, technology or software which are specified in Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) 428/2009Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1). or the Common Military List; or(b)software which is designed for installation by the user without further substantial support by the supplier and which is generally available to the public by being sold from stock at retail selling points, without restriction, by means of:(i)over the counter transactions;(ii)mail order transactions;(iii)electronic transactions; or(iv)telephone order transactions; or(c)software which is in the public domain.The categories A, B, C, D and E refer to the categories referred to in Regulation (EC) No 428/2009.The equipment, technology and software referred to in Articles 6 and 7 is:A.List of equipmentDeep Packet Inspection equipmentNetwork Interception equipment including Interception Management Equipment (IMS) and Data Retention Link Intelligence equipmentRadio Frequency monitoring equipmentNetwork and Satellite jamming equipmentRemote Infection equipmentSpeaker recognition/processing equipmentIMSI"IMSI" stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is a unique identification code for each mobile telephony device, integrated in the SIM card, which allows for identification of such SIM via GSM and UMTS networks., MSISDN"MSISDN" stands for Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number. It is a number uniquely identifying a subscription in a GSM or a UMTS mobile network. Simply put, it is the telephone number to the SIM card in a mobile phone and therefore it identifies a mobile subscriber as well as IMSI, but to route calls through him., IMEI"IMEI" stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a number, usually unique to identify GSM, WCDMA and IDEN mobile phones as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. interception (wiretapping) can be specified by its IMEI number as well as IMSI and MSISDN., TMSI"TMSI" stands for Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is the identity that is most commonly sent between the mobile and the network. interception and monitoring equipmentTactical SMS"SMS" stands for Short Message System. /GSM"GSM" stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. /GPS"GPS" stands for Global Positioning System. /GPRS"GPRS" stands for General Package Radio Service. /UMTS"UMTS" stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System. /CDMA"CDMA" stands for Code Division Multiple Access. /PSTN"PSTN" stands for Public Switch Telephone Networks. interception and monitoring equipmentDHCP"DHCP" stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. /SMTP"SMTP" stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol., GTP"GTP" stands for GPRS Tunnelling Protocol. information interception and monitoring equipmentPattern Recognition and Pattern Profiling equipmentRemote Forensics equipmentSemantic Processing Engine equipmentWEP and WPA code breaking equipmentInterception equipment for VoIP proprietary and standard protocolB.Not usedC.Not usedD."Software" for the "development", "production" or "use" of the equipment specified in A above.E."Technology" for the "development", "production" or "use" of the equipment specified in A above.Equipment, technology and software falling within these categories is within the scope of this Annex only to the extent that it falls within the general description "internet, telephone and satellite communications interception and monitoring systems".For the purpose of this Annex, "monitoring" means acquisition, extraction, decoding, recording, processing, analysis and archiving call content or network data.ANNEX IIIWebsites for information on the competent authorities and address for notifications to the CommissionBELGIUMhttps://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/policy/policy_areas/peace_and_security/sanctionsBULGARIAhttps://www.mfa.bg/en/EU-sanctionsCZECHIAwww.financnianalytickyurad.cz/mezinarodni-sankce.htmlDENMARKhttp://um.dk/da/Udenrigspolitik/folkeretten/sanktioner/GERMANYhttps://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Aussenwirtschaft/embargos-aussenwirtschaftsrecht.htmlESTONIAhttps://vm.ee/et/rahvusvahelised-sanktsioonidIRELANDhttps://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/ireland-in-the-eu/eu-restrictive-measures/GREECEhttp://www.mfa.gr/en/foreign-policy/global-issues/international-sanctions.htmlSPAINhttps://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/PoliticaExterior/Paginas/SancionesInternacionales.aspxFRANCEhttp://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/autorites-sanctions/CROATIAhttps://mvep.gov.hr/vanjska-politika/medjunarodne-mjere-ogranicavanja/22955ITALYhttps://www.esteri.it/it/politica-estera-e-cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/politica_europea/misure_deroghe/CYPRUShttps://mfa.gov.cy/themes/LATVIAhttp://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/security/4539LITHUANIAhttp://www.urm.lt/sanctionsLUXEMBOURGhttps://maee.gouvernement.lu/fr/directions-du-ministere/affaires-europeennes/organisations-economiques-int/mesures-restrictives.htmlHUNGARYhttps://kormany.hu/kulgazdasagi-es-kulugyminiszterium/ensz-eu-szankcios-tajekoztatoMALTAhttps://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Government/SMB/Pages/SMB-Home.aspxNETHERLANDShttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/internationale-sanctiesAUSTRIAhttps://www.bmeia.gv.at/themen/aussenpolitik/europa/eu-sanktionen-nationale-behoerden/POLANDhttps://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/sankcje-miedzynarodowehttps://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/international-sanctionsPORTUGALhttps://www.portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/politica-externa/medidas-restritivasROMANIAhttp://www.mae.ro/node/1548SLOVENIAhttp://www.mzz.gov.si/si/omejevalni_ukrepiSLOVAKIAhttps://www.mzv.sk/europske_zalezitosti/europske_politiky-sankcie_euFINLANDhttps://um.fi/pakotteetSWEDENhttps://www.regeringen.se/sanktionerAddress for notifications to the European Commission:European CommissionDirectorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA)Rue de Spa 2B-1049 Brussels, BelgiumE-mail: relex-sanctions@ec.europa.euANNEX IVLIST OF NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS, ENTITIES AND BODIES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 8(3)
NameIdentifying informationReasonsDate of listing
1.Néstor Luis REVEROL TORRESDate of birth: 28 October 1964Gender: maleMinister for Electrical Energy since October 2020, Vice-President of Public Works and Services and Executive Secretary of the Electrical General Staff since April 2019. Minister for Interior, Justice and Peace from 2016 until October 2020. General in Chief of the Bolivarian National Guard since August 2020. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including the torture of (political) prisoners, and the repression of the democratic opposition in Venezuela, including the prohibition and repression of political demonstrations, committed by security forces under his command.22.1.2018
2.Gustavo Enrique GONZÁLEZ LÓPEZDate of birth: 2 November 1960Gender: maleReappointed as General Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) on 30 April 2019. Security and Intelligence Adviser to President Maduro since January 2019 and General Director of SEBIN from February 2014 to October 2018. During the times he has served as SEBIN director, officials under his ultimate authority committed acts of arbitrary detention, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, including sexual violence, in El Helicoide detention centre. As General Director of SEBIN, he is responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture, and the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition in Venezuela.22.1.2018
3.Tibisay LUCENA RAMÍREZDate of birth: 26 April 1959Gender: femaleMinister of University Education since October 2021. President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral or CNE) from April 2006 until June 2020. Her actions and policies have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by failing to ensure that the CNE remains an impartial and independent institution in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution, thereby facilitating the establishment of the Constituent Assembly and the re-election of Nicolás Maduro in May 2018 through presidential elections that were neither free nor fair.22.1.2018
4.Antonio José BENAVIDES TORRESDate of birth: 13 June 1961Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Chief of the Capital District (Distrito Capital) Government until January 2018. General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard until 21 June 2017. Involved in the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, and responsible for serious human rights violations committed by the Bolivarian National Guard under his command. His actions and policies as General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard, including the Bolivarian National Guard taking the lead in the policing of civilian demonstrations and publicly advocating that military courts should have jurisdiction over civilians, have undermined the rule of law in Venezuela.22.1.2018
5.Maikel José MORENO PÉREZDate of birth: 12 December 1965Gender: maleJudge of the Criminal Appeal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Venezuela (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). Former President and Vice President of the Supreme Court. In those roles, he has supported and facilitated the Government’s actions and policies which have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and is responsible for actions and statements that have usurped the authority of the National Assembly, including the appointment of the National Electoral Council (CNE) in June 2020 and the suspension and replacement of the leadership of three opposition parties in June and July 2020.22.1.2018
6.Tarek William SAAB HALABIDate of birth: 10 September 1963Place of birth: El Tigre, Anzoátegui state, VenezuelaGender: maleVenezuelan Attorney General appointed by the Constituent Assembly. In this role, and in previous roles as Ombudsman and President of the Republican Moral Council, he has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela by publicly supporting actions against opponents of the government of Venezuela and the withdrawal of competences from the National Assembly.22.1.2018
7.Diosdado CABELLO RONDÓNDate of birth: 15 April 1963Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly, former President of the Constituent Assembly and First Vice-President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Involved in undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, including by using the media to publicly attack and threaten political opposition, other media and civil society and giving orders to detain individuals, including to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).22.1.2018
8.Tareck Zaidan EL-AISSAMI MADDAHDate of birth: 12 November 1974Gender: maleFormer Vice President of Economy and former Minister of the Popular Power of Petroleum as well as National Industry and Production. As the former Vice President of Venezuela with oversight of the direction of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), Tareck El-Aissami is responsible for the serious human rights violations carried out by the organisation, including arbitrary detentions, politically motivated investigations, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture. He is also responsible for supporting and implementing policies and activities which undermine democracy and the rule of law, including the prohibition of public demonstrations, and heading President Maduro’s "anti-coup command" which has targeted civil society and the democratic opposition.25.6.2018
9.Sergio José RIVERO MARCANODate of birth: 8 November 1964Gender: maleInspector General of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard until 16 January 2018. Involved in the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, and responsible for serious human rights violations committed by the Bolivarian National Guard under his command, including the excessive use of force, and the arbitrary detention and abuse of civil society and opposition members. His actions and policies as General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard, including the Bolivarian National Guard assaulting members of the democratically elected National Assembly and intimidating journalists reporting on the fraudulent elections for the illegitimate Constituent Assembly, have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.25.6.2018
10.Jesús Rafael SUÁREZ CHOURIODate of birth: 19 July 1962Gender: malePresident of the Defence and Security Committee of the non-democratically elected National Assembly since January 2021. Former Chief of the General Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (between July 2019 and September 2020). Former Commander in Chief of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army (until July 2019). Former General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army and former Commander of Venezuela’s Comprehensive Defence Region of the Central Zone (REDI Central). Responsible for serious human rights violations by forces under his command during his tenure as General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army, including the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees. He has targeted the democratic opposition and supported the use of military courts to try civilian protestors.25.6.2018
11.Iván HERNÁNDEZ DALADate of birth: 18 May 1966Gender: maleMajor-General in FANB. Director-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (DGCIM) since January 2014 and Head of the Presidential Guard since September 2015. As Head of the DGCIM, Iván Hernández Dala is responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition and for serious human rights violations committed by members of the DGCIM under his command, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees.25.6.2018
12.Delcy Eloina RODRÍGUEZ GÓMEZDate of birth: 18 May 1969Gender: femaleVice-President of Venezuela, Minister of the Economy, Finances and Trade. Former President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and former member of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Her actions in the Presidential Commission and then as President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including usurping the powers of the National Assembly and using them to target the opposition and to prevent them from taking part in the political process.25.6.2018
13.Elías José JAUA MILANODate of birth: 16 December 1969Gender: maleFormer Minister of Popular Power for Education. Former President of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela through his role in leading the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly.25.6.2018
14.Sandra OBLITAS RUZZADate of birth: 7 June 1969Gender: femaleMinister of University Education. Former Rector of the Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela. Former Vice President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and former President of the Commission of the Electoral and Civilian Register. Responsible for CNE activities which have undermined democracy in Venezuela, including by facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and the manipulation of the electoral process.25.6.2018
15.Freddy Alirio BERNAL ROSALESDate of birth: 16 June 1962Place of birth: San Cristóbal, Táchira State, VenezuelaGender: maleGovernor of Táchira State since winning the elections in November 2021. Former Head of the National Control Centre of the Committee for Local Supply and Production (CLAP) and former Protector of Táchira State. Also a Commissioner General of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). As Head of the CLAP and Protector of Táchira State he was able to call upon Special Forces (FAES) and to influence appointments of judges and prosecutors. Responsible for undermining democracy through manipulation of CLAP programme distributions amongst voters. Additionally, as Commissioner General of SEBIN he is responsible for SEBIN’s activities which include serious human rights violations such as arbitrary detention.25.6.2018
16.Katherine Nayarith HARRINGTON PADRÓNDate of birth: 5 December 1971Gender: femalePresident of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. Former Deputy Prosecutor General (also translated as Deputy Attorney General) from July 2017 until October 2018. Appointed Deputy Prosecutor General by the Supreme Court rather than by the National Assembly, in violation of the Constitution. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically-motivated prosecutions and failing to investigate allegations of human rights violations by the Maduro regime.25.6.2018
17.Socorro Elizabeth HERNÁNDEZDate of birth: 11 March 1952Gender: femaleMember (Rector) of the National Electoral Council (CNE) until 12 June 2020 and member of the National Electoral Board (JNE). Responsible for the CNE's activities which have undermined democracy in Venezuela, including facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and manipulation of the electoral process in relation to a cancelled presidential recall election in 2016, postponement of gubernatorial elections in 2016, and the relocation of polling stations at short notice before gubernatorial elections in 2017.25.6.2018
18.Xavier Antonio MORENO REYESGender: maleSecretary-General of the National Electoral Council (CNE) from 2009 until June 2020. In that role, Moreno Reyes facilitated, legitimised and gave credibility to CNE decisions, since the Secretary-General of the CNE has a role in agenda-setting and formalising decisions. Moreno Reyes remained Secretary-General of CNE while democracy was severely undermined and the independent role of the CNE within the electoral process was compromised. He is therefore responsible for undermining democracy in Venezuela, including facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and the manipulation of the electoral process.25.6.2018
19.Néstor Neptali BLANCO HURTADODate of birth: 26 September 1982ID number: V-15222057Gender: maleCommander in military counterintelligence zone No 32 in the Los Llanos region. As Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), he has operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least December 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities.27.9.2019
20.Rafael Ramón BLANCO MARRERODate of birth: 28 February 1968ID number: V-6250588Gender: maleDivision General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army since 5 July 2019. Former deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities, that were committed by DGCIM officials under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta.27.9.2019
21.Carlos Alberto CALDERÓN CHIRINOSID number: V-10352300Gender: maleOfficial with the elite command of the Venezuelan National Police (PNB/FAES). Former senior office holder (referred to as General Commissioner, Director of El Helicoide and Director of Strategic Investigations) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Officials of the Directorate for Strategic Investigations under his supervision have committed illegal detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and sexual and gender-based violence. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in SEBIN facilities. In particular, he has participated in and is responsible for acts of torture and the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees at El Helicoide, a SEBIN prison.27.9.2019
22.Alexis Enrique ESCALONA MARRERODate of birth: 12 October 1962Gender: maleChief in Charge of the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing (ONDOFT) from January 2018 until May 2019. Retired Major General, former Vice Minister for prevention and public safety at the Ministry of the Interior (appointed in 2017 by President Maduro) and former National Commander of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (Comando Nacional Antiextorsión y Secuestro (CONAS)) (between 2014 and 2017). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees by members of CONAS under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of CONAS under his command.27.9.2019
23.Rafael Antonio FRANCO QUINTERODate of birth: 14 October 1973ID number: V-11311672Gender: maleBrigadier General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army (FANB). Agent in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Head of Security at Maiquetía International Airport since August 2019. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between November 2016 and November 2018. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities by members of the DGCIM under his command, notably at the Boleita detention centre. Officials under his authority were also implicated in sexual violence against detainees. Also responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by members of the DGCIM under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
24.Alexander Enrique GRANKO ARTEAGADate of birth: 25 March 1981ID Number: V-14970215Gender: maleHead (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 2017. Head of Office of DGCIM’s Boleita detention centre since 29 August 2022. From 2017 to 2022 he ordered, supervised and directly participated in arbitrary detentions, short-term enforced disappearances, torture, including sexual violence, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Bolivarian National Guard on 1 July 2020. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force causing death and injury and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities committed by himself and by officials under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of DGCIM under his command, as well as being directly involved in such repression. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
25.Hannover Esteban GUERRERO MIJARESDate of birth: 14 January 1971Gender: maleSecond Commander and Chief of Staff of the 35th Military Police Brigade since 2019. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from November 2018 to August 2019. As Director of DEIPC, he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita detention centre. During this period, acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as sexual violence, were committed by DGCIM officials at Boleita. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees committed by himself and by officials under his command, particularly in Boleita. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
26.José Adelino ORNELAS FERREIRAAlias: José Adelino ORNELLA FERREIRA / José Adelino ORNELLAS FERREIRADate of birth: 14 December 1964Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V‐7087964Gender: maleSecretary‐General of the National Defence Council since 26 July 2019 and Chief of the General Staff to the Commander‐in‐Chief since September 2020. Former commander of the National Capital Integral Strategic Defence Region (REDI Capital), former Chief of Staff and former Second‐in‐Command of the Operational and Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela (CEOFANB). In these roles he has supported and facilitated actions and policies of the Government of Venezuela which have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Responsible for serious human rights violations and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, including obstructing the provision of humanitarian aid and the use of excessive force by officials of the Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB), and by subordinate forces under his command, including the Integral Strategic Defence Region (REDI), the Integral Defence Operations Zone (ZODI) and the Bolivarian National Guard.29.6.2020
27.Gladys DEL VALLE REQUENADate of birth: 9 November 1952Place of birth: Puerto Santo, Sucre, VenezuelaID number: V-4114842Gender: femaleInspector General of the Courts since 27 April 2022. Former member of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and former member and the Second Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In her leading role in the non-recognised ANC, she has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by signing the decree that stripped the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, of his parliamentary immunity.29.6.2020
28.Tania Valentina DÍAZ GONZÁLEZDate of birth: 18 June 1963Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V-6432672Gender: femaleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and former First Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In her leading role in the non-recognised ANC she has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by signing the decree that stripped the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, of his parliamentary immunity.29.6.2020
29.Elvis Eduardo HIDROBO AMOROSODate of birth: 4 August 1963Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V-7659695Gender: malePresident of the National Electoral Commission of Venezuela since 24 August 2023. Former Comptroller General (between 23 October 2018 and August 2023), and former First and Second Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by banning opposition members from holding public office for 15 years and leading the non-recognised ANC, signing the "law against hatred", justifying the removal of a legally-elected opposition governor and banning Juan Guaidó from running for any public office.29.6.2020
30.Juan José MENDOZA JOVERDate of birth: 11 March 1969Place of birth: Trujillo, VenezuelaAddress: Arnoldo Gabaldón, Candelaria, Edo. TrujilloID number: V-9499372Gender: maleFormer Second Vice-President of the Venezuelan Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) and former President of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (February 2017 – April 2022). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by a number of judicial rulings in the past two years that have limited or undermined the constitutional powers of Venezuela’s democratically-elected legislative body, the National Assembly.29.6.2020
31.Jorge Elieser MÁRQUEZ MONSALVEDate of birth: 20 February 1971Place of birth: Caracas, VenezuelaID number: V-8714253Gender: maleMinister of the Office of the Presidency since November 2017 and Director-General of the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) since 7 August 2017. His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by severely limiting the rights of the Venezuelan people to a free press, free speech and information. He used the special powers of CONATEL to silence criticism and dissidents of the regime by blocking, filtering and obstructing internet websites, by revoking existing licences for radio and television stations and by refusing to grant new ones.29.6.2020
32.Farik Karin MORA SALCEDOID number: V‐8608523Gender: maleProsecutor serving at the Venezuelan First Special Court of First Instance with an office within the Directorate‐General of Military Counter‐Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically motivated prosecutions which resulted in the arbitrary detention of members of the National Assembly and other officials opposing the Maduro regime.29.6.2020
33.Dinorah Yoselin BUSTAMANTE PUERTADate of birth: 14 January 1975ID number: V‐10002096Gender: femaleProsecutor serving at the Venezuelan First Special Court of First Instance, with an office within the Directorate‐General of Military Counter‐Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). Her actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically motivated prosecutions which resulted in the arbitrary detention of members of the National Assembly and other officials opposing the Maduro regime.29.6.2020
34.Luis Eduardo PARRA RIVERODate of birth: 7 July 1978ID number: V-14211633Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Parra Rivero, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), Parra Rivero was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC).29.6.2020
35.Franklyn Leonardo DUARTEDate of birth: 15 May 1977ID number: V-3304045Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Former member and illegitimately elected first Vice-President of the National Assembly elected in 2015. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as the first Vice-President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Duarte, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), the election of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC).29.6.2020
36.José Gregorio NORIEGA FIGUEROADate of birth: 21 February 1969ID number: V-8348784Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Former member and illegitimately elected second Vice-President of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Illegitimately appointed director of the ad-hoc board of the political party Voluntad Popular. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as the second Vice-President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Noriega, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), the election of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In July 2020, Noriega, helped by the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)), illegitimately took over the leadership of the political party Voluntad Popular, thereby further undermining democracy in Venezuela.29.6.2020
37.Remigio CEBALLOS ICHASODate of birth: 1 May 1963ID-number: V-6557495Gender: maleSince August 2021, Minister of the Interior and Justice of Venezuela and Vice-President of the Government for Citizen Security. Former Commander of the Operational and Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela (Comando Estratégico Operacional Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales Bolivarianas (CEOFANB)), the highest organ in the Venezuelan Armed Forces (June 2017–July 2021). CEOFANB controls the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and the Bolivarian National Guard. CEOFANB is also responsible for coordinating FANB interventions in demonstrations. In his position as Commander of CEOFANB, he was responsible for serious human rights violations, including the use of excessive force and inhuman and degrading treatment by officials of the FANB and by subordinate forces under his command, including the Bolivarian National Guard. Various sources, including the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, attribute human rights violations to FANB and the Bolivarian National Guard.22.2.2021
38.Omar José PRIETO FERNÁNDEZDate of birth: 25 May 1969ID number: V-9761075Gender: maleFormer Governor of Zulia State (2017 – 2021). In this position he has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Zulia State. He was sworn in by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC), after the legitimate winner of the election refused to be sworn in by the ANC. Omar José Prieto Fernández actively promoted the non-democratic elections for the National Assembly, which took place on 6 December 2020. Moreover, in Zulia State he threatened opposition leaders with "house visits" and stated his intention to declare Zulia State independent should an interim government led by Juan Guaidó assume power. Active member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).22.2.2021
39.José Dionisio BRITO RODRÍGUEZDate of birth: 15 January 1971ID-number: V-8263861Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and chair of the parliamentary commission that investigates the "actions perpetrated against the Republic" by members of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Furthermore, José Dionisio Brito Rodríguez illegitimately assumed leadership over opposition party Primero Justicia, due to a decision of the Supreme Court in June 2020. In 2019, he was expelled from Primero Justicia over corruption allegations. Moreover, as a member of the National Assembly, he participated in the illegitimate election of Luis Eduardo Parra Rivero as the President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
40.José Bernabé GUTIÉRREZ PARRADate of birth: 21 December 1952ID-number: V-1565144Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and illegitimate leader of opposition party Acción Democrática. José Bernabé Gutiérrez Parra gained illegitimate control over opposition party Acción Democrática in June 2020 via a ruling of the Supreme Court. In contravention of the party’s position prior to his take over, Gutiérrez Parra participated with Acción Democrática in the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly which took place on 6 December 2020. Gutiérrez Parra changed the position of the party, used its symbols and participated in the elections and public events such as televised debates. Gutiérrez Parra was expelled from the party by legitimate Acción Democrática members who called his actions conspiracy and betrayal. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
41.Luis Fernando DAMIANI BUSTILLOSDate of birth: 27 April 1946Gender: maleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
42.Lourdes Benicia SUÁREZ ANDERSONDate of birth: 7 March 1965Gender: femaleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since December 2005 and Vice President of the Constitutional Chamber since April 2022. Former President of the Constitutional Chamber and former first Vice-President of the Supreme Court. As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, she is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and she has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
43.Calixto Antonio ORTEGA RÍOSDate of birth: 12 October 1950Gender: maleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
44.René Alberto DEGRAVES ALMARZAGender: maleSubstitute judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since April 2022. Former judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court. As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
45.Arcadio DELGADO ROSALESDate of birth: 23 September 1954Gender: maleFormer judge and Vice-President of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights, including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
46.Carmen Auxiliadora ZULETA DE MERCHÁNDate of birth: 13 December 1947Gender: femaleFormer judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, she has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and she has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
47.Indira Maira ALFONZO IZAGUIRREDate of birth: 29 April 1968Place of birth: La Guaira, La Guaira State, VenezuelaID-number: V-6978710Gender: femaleFormer President of the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). Former chairwoman of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)), appointed on 13 June 2020. Former member of the Electoral Chamber and Plenary Chamber of the Supreme Court, Second Vice-Chairwoman of the Supreme Court from 2015 until 24 February 2017, Vice-Chairwoman of the Supreme Court from 24 February 2017 until 12 June 2020. As a member of the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court, Indira Maira Alfonzo Izaguirre is responsible for the actions taken against the then newly elected National Assembly in December 2015, resulting in the impossibility for the National Assembly to exert its legislative power. Moreover, she accepted her appointment as the chairwoman of the CNE in June 2020 by the Supreme Court although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly. In that role she prepared and supervised the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly held on 6 December 2020 and participated in the change of 30 June 2020 to the electoral norms for those elections, without formally leaving the Supreme Court (temporary permit to integrate the CNE). After the renewal of the CNE in May 2021, she returned to the Supreme Court. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
48.Leonardo Enrique MORALES POLEOGender: maleFormer Vice-President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) and President of the Political Participation and Financing Commission (August 2020–May 2021). Leonardo Enrique Morales Poleo was appointed Vice-President of the CNE and President of the Political Participation and Financing Commission on 7 August 2020 by the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly. Moreover, just prior to his appointment he served in the Advanced Progressive Party (Avanzada progresista). As member (rector) and Vice-President of the CNE, he fully took part in the decision-making process of the CNE. He supported and facilitated the supervision of the electoral process that led to the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly on 6 December 2020. His actions have therefore further undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Leonardo Enrique Morales Poleo accepted to be appointed to the CNE and remained in his position as Vice-President of the CNE while democracy was severely undermined in Venezuela.22.2.2021
49.Tania D’AMELIO CARDIETDate of birth: 5 December 1971Place of birth: ItalyNationality: VenezuelanID-number: V-11691429Gender: femaleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since April 2022. Former member (rector) of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) for the period 2016-2023. Former Member (rector) of the CNE for the period 2010-2016. Tania d’Amelio Cardiet, as rector of the CNE since 2010, contributed directly by her activity in her functions to the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by preparing the non-democratic 2020 National Assembly elections, participating in the change of 30 June 2020 to the electoral norms for those elections, and participating in the organisation and execution of the 2018 presidential elections. Moreover, Tania d’Amelio Cardiet accepted her 2016 appointment at the CNE by the Supreme Court, although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly.22.2.2021
50.José Miguel DOMÍNGUEZ RAMÍREZDate of birth: 17 October 1979ID-number: V-14444352Gender: maleDirector of the Special Action Forces (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales (FAES)) since 6 May 2019. Former Chief Commissioner of the FAES in Táchira State. Additionally, José Miguel Domínguez Ramírez was the Director of Operations of the FAES, which fall within Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Police. Responsible for serious human rights violations and repressing of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela committed by FAES officials under his authority. The FAES are known for extrajudicial killings and their violent role in suppressing dissent from Maduro’s political opponents, the opposition, and protesters, which is why the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has demanded the dissolution of the FAES. Moreover, previously, Domínguez Ramírez was a member of the Venezuelan security team that opened fire on unarmed student protestors on 12 February 2014, resulting in the death of at least one of the students, Bassil Da Costa.22.2.2021
51.Carlos Ramón Enrique CARVALLO GUEVARAID-number: V-10132041Gender: malePresident of state enterprise Corporación Ecosocialista Ezequiel Zamora (CORPOEZ) since March 2021. Division General and Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 21 August 2020. Successor of General Rafael Ramón Blanco Marrero. Previously, Carvallo Guevara served for the DGCIM in Los Andes region and held an upper rank in the Bolivarian National Guard. Responsible for the serious human rights violations in Venezuela committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of 20 September 2022, DGCIM is characterised as an institution directly responsible for carrying out severe human rights violations.22.2.2021
52.Jesús Emilio VÁSQUEZ QUINTEROID-number: V-7422049Gender: malePresident of the Court Martial and the Military Criminal Judicial Circuit since 17 September 2021. Division General since 5 July 2019 and former Attorney General of the Military Prosecutor’s Office (December 2017 - 17 September 2021). As Attorney General of the Military Prosecutor’s Office, responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The Military Prosecutor’s Office has been linked to internal judicial prosecution in the Armed Forces, and failures to investigate incidents, including the case of the death of Captain Acosta in 2019. Moreover, military justice is being applied to civilians.22.2.2021
53.Carlos Enrique TERÁN HURTADOID-number: V-8042567Gender: maleDivision General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Armed Forces since 2022. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from August 2019 to February 2021. In previous functions, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado served as head of the police in Falcón state and head of DGCIM in Táchira state. Responsible for the serious human rights violations, including cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees, committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the detailed findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado is specifically pointed out as one of the responsible actors, and is linked to the Captain de la Sotta case.22.2.2021
54.Manuel Eduardo PÉREZ URDANETADate of birth: 29 December 1960 or 26 May 1962Place of birth: Cagua, State of AraguaID-number: V-6357038Passport number: 001234503 (expired 2012)Gender: maleFormer Deputy Minister of the Interior and Justice. Within the Venezuelan Ministry of the Interior and Justice, Brigadier General Manuel Eduardo Pérez Urdaneta ranked as one of five Deputy Ministers. His portfolio encompassed Preventive Security and Public Safety (Viceministro de prevención y Seguridad Ciudadana). Before that, Brigadier General Pérez served as Director of the Bolivarian National Police. In that role he was responsible for serious human rights violations, including the use of severe physical force against peaceful protesters, committed by officials of the Bolivarian National Police under his authority.22.2.2021.
55.Douglas Arnoldo RICO GONZÁLEZDate of birth: 28 September 1969ID-number: V-6864238Gender: maleDirector of the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal, and Forensic Investigations (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas (CICPC)) since 5 February 2016. Previously, he acted as CICPC deputy director. Responsible for serious human rights violations, by CICPC officials under his authority. The report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela characterises CICPC as an institution that commits systematic human rights violations in Venezuela. CICPC is also involved in extra-judicial killings, according to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released on 16 June 2021.22.2.2021
ANNEX VList of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 8(4)
Article 1For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:(a)"claim" means any claim, whether asserted by legal proceedings or not, made before, on or after the date of entry into force of this Regulation, under or in connection with a contract or transaction, and includes in particular:(i)a claim for performance of any obligation arising under or in connection with a contract or transaction;(ii)a claim for extension or payment of a bond, financial guarantee or indemnity of whatever form;(iii)a claim for compensation in respect of a contract or transaction;(iv)a counterclaim;(v)a claim for the recognition or enforcement, including by the procedure of exequatur, of a judgment, an arbitration award or an equivalent decision, wherever made or given;(b)"contract or transaction" means any transaction of whatever form and whatever the applicable law, whether comprising one or more contracts or similar obligations made between the same or different parties; for this purpose, "contract" includes a bond, guarantee or indemnity, in particular a financial guarantee or financial indemnity, and credit, whether legally independent or not, as well as any related provision arising under, or in connection with, the transaction;(c)"competent authorities" refers to the competent authorities of the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III;(d)"economic resources" means assets of every kind, whether tangible or intangible, movable or immovable, which are not funds, but may be used to obtain funds, goods or services;(e)"freezing of economic resources" means preventing the use of economic resources to obtain funds, goods or services in any way, including, but not limited to, by selling, hiring or mortgaging them;(f)"freezing of funds" means preventing any move, transfer, alteration or use of, access to, or dealing with funds in any way that would result in any change in their volume, amount, location, ownership, possession, character or destination or other change that would enable the funds to be used, including portfolio management;(g)"funds" means financial assets and benefits of every kind, including, but not limited to:(i)cash, cheques, claims on money, drafts, money orders and other payment instruments;(ii)deposits with financial institutions or other entities, balances on accounts, debts and debt obligations;(iii)publicly and privately traded securities and debt instruments, including stocks and shares, certificates representing securities, bonds, notes, warrants, debentures and derivatives contracts;(iv)interest, dividends or other income on or value accruing from or generated by assets;(v)credit, right of set-off, guarantees, performance bonds or other financial commitments;(vi)letters of credit, bills of lading, bills of sale; and(vii)documents showing evidence of an interest in funds or financial resources;(h)"technical assistance" means any technical support related to repairs, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, maintenance or any other technical service, and may take forms such as instruction, advice, training, transmission of working knowledge or skills, or consulting services, including verbal forms of assistance;(i)"brokering services" means:(i)the negotiation or arrangement of transactions for the purchase, sale or supply of goods and technology or financial and technical services from a third country to any other third country, or(ii)the selling or buying of goods and technology or financial and technical services that are located in a third country for their transfer to another third country;(j)"territory of the Union" means the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in the Treaty, including their airspace.
Article 21.It shall be prohibited:(a)to provide, directly or indirectly, technical assistance, brokering services and other services related to the goods and technology listed in the EU Common List of Military Equipment ("the Common Military List") and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of goods and technology listed in the Common Military List to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(b)to provide, directly or indirectly, financing or financial assistance related to the goods and technology listed in the Common Military List, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, for any sale, supply, transfer or export of such items, or for the provision of related technical assistance, brokering services and other services, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela.2.The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to the execution of contracts concluded before 13 November 2017 or to ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts, provided that they comply with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSPCouncil Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99)., in particular with the criteria set out in Article 2 thereof and that the natural or legal persons, entities or bodies seeking to perform the contract have notified the contract to the competent authority of the Member State in which they are established within 5 working days of the entry into force of this Regulation.
Article 3It shall be prohibited:(a)to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, equipment which might be used for internal repression as listed in Annex I, whether or not originating in the Union, to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(b)to provide technical assistance and brokering and other services related to the equipment referred to in point (a), directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela;(c)to provide financing or financial assistance, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, related to the equipment referred to in point (a), directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, Venezuela.
Article 41.By way of derogation from Articles 2 and 3, the competent authorities of Member States as listed in Annex III may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate:(a)the provision of financing and financial assistance and technical assistance related to:(i)non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, or for institution-building programmes of the United Nations (UN) and the Union or its Member States or of regional and sub-regional organisations;(ii)material intended for crisis-management operations of the UN and the Union or of regional and sub-regional organisations;(b)the sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment which might be used for internal repression and associated financing and financial and technical assistance, intended solely for humanitarian or protective use or for institution-building programmes of the UN or the Union, or for crisis-management operations of the UN and the Union or of regional and subregional organisations;(c)the sale, supply, transfer or export of demining equipment and materiel for use in demining operations and associated financing and financial and technical assistance.2.Authorisations referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only prior to the activity for which they are requested.
Article 5Articles 2 and 3 shall not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Venezuela by UN personnel, personnel of the Union or its Member States, representatives of the media, and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only.
Article 61.It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, equipment, technology or software identified in Annex II, whether or not originating in the Union, to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela, unless the competent authority of the relevant Member State, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, has given prior authorisation.2.The competent authorities of the Member States, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, shall not grant any authorisation under paragraph 1 if they have reasonable grounds to determine that the equipment, technology or software in question would be used for internal repression by Venezuela's government, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or any person or entity acting on their behalf or at their direction.3.Annex II shall include equipment, technology or software intended primarily for use in the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.4.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this Article, within four weeks of the authorisation.
Article 71.Unless the competent authority of the relevant Member State, as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, has given prior authorisation in accordance with Article 6(2), it shall be prohibited:(a)to provide, directly or indirectly, technical assistance or brokering services related to the equipment, technology and software identified in Annex II, or related to the installation, provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of the equipment and technology identified in Annex II or to the provision, installation, operation or updating of any software identified in Annex II, to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela;(b)to provide, directly or indirectly, financing or financial assistance related to the equipment, technology and software identified in Annex II to any person, entity or body in Venezuela or for use in Venezuela;(c)to provide any telecommunication or internet monitoring or interception services of any kind to, or for the direct or indirect benefit of, Venezuela's government, public bodies, corporations and agencies or any person or entity acting on their behalf or at their direction.2.For the purposes of point (c) of paragraph 1, "telecommunication or internet monitoring or interception services" means those services that provide, in particular using equipment, technology or software as identified in Annex II, access to and delivery of a subject's incoming and outgoing telecommunications and call- associated data for the purpose of its extraction, decoding, recording, processing, analysis or storing, or any other related activity.
Article 81.All funds and economic resources belonging to or owned, held or controlled by any natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annexes IV and V shall be frozen.2.No funds or economic resources shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annexes IV and V.3.Annex IV shall include:(a)natural or legal persons, entities and bodies responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela;(b)natural or legal persons, entities and bodies whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine democracy or the rule of law in Venezuela.4.Annex V shall include natural or legal persons, entities and bodies associated with the persons and entities referred to in paragraph 3.5.Annexes IV and V shall include the grounds for the listing of the persons, entities and bodies concerned.6.Annexes IV and V shall also include, where available, information necessary to identify the natural or legal persons, entities and bodies concerned. With regard to natural persons, such information may include names including aliases, date and place of birth, nationality, passport and ID card numbers, gender, address, if known, and function or profession. With regard to legal persons, entities and bodies, such information may include names, place and date of registration, registration number and place of business.
Article 91.By way of derogation from Article 8, the competent authorities of the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, or the making available of certain funds or economic resources, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, after having determined that the funds or economic resources are:(a)necessary to satisfy the basic needs of natural and legal persons listed in Annex IV or V, and dependent family members of such natural persons, including payments for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums and public utility charges;(b)intended exclusively for payment of reasonable professional fees or reimbursement of incurred expenses associated with the provision of legal services;(c)intended exclusively for payment of fees or service charges for routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds or economic resources;(d)necessary for extraordinary expenses, provided that the relevant competent authority has notified the grounds on which it considers that a specific authorisation should be granted to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the Commission at least two weeks prior to authorisation; or(e)to be paid into or from an account of a diplomatic or consular mission or an international organisation enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, insofar as such payments are intended to be used for official purposes of the diplomatic or consular mission or international organisation.2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1.
Article 9a1.Article 8(1) and (2) shall not apply to the making available of funds or economic resources necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs where such assistance and other activities are carried out by:(a)the United Nations (UN), including its programmes, funds and other entities and bodies, as well as its specialised agencies and related organisations;(b)international organisations;(c)humanitarian organisations having observer status with the UN General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations;(d)bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the UN Humanitarian Response Plans, UN Refugee Response Plans, other UN appeals or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs;(e)organisations and agencies to which the Union has granted the Humanitarian Partnership Certificate or which are certified or recognised by a Member State in accordance with national procedures;(f)Member States’ specialised agencies; or(g)the employees, grantees, subsidiaries or implementing partners of the entities referred to in points (a) to (f) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities.2.Without prejudice to paragraph 1, and by way of derogation from Article 8(1) and (2), the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, or the making available of certain funds or economic resources, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, after having determined that the provision of such funds or economic resources is necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs.3.In the absence of a negative decision, a request for information or a notification for additional time from the relevant competent authority within five working days of the date of receipt of a request for authorisation under paragraph 2, that authorisation shall be considered granted.4.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisations granted under paragraphs 2 and 3 within four weeks of such authorisation.
Article 101.By way of derogation from Article 8, the competent authorities in the Member States as identified on the websites listed in Annex III, may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources if the following conditions are met:(a)the funds or economic resources are subject to an arbitral decision rendered prior to the date on which the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in Article 8 was included in Annex IV or V, or of a judicial or administrative decision rendered in the Union, or a judicial decision enforceable in the Member State concerned, prior to, on or after that date;(b)the funds or economic resources will be used exclusively to satisfy claims secured by such a decision or recognised as valid in such a decision, within the limits set by applicable laws and regulations governing the rights of persons having such claims;(c)the decision is not for the benefit of a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V; and(d)recognising the decision is not contrary to public policy in the Member State concerned.2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1.
Article 111.By way of derogation from Article 8 and provided that a payment by a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V is due under a contract or agreement that was concluded by, or an obligation that arose for, the natural or legal person, entity or body concerned before the date on which that natural or legal person, entity or body was included in Annex IV or V, the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources, provided that the competent authority concerned has determined that:(a)the funds or economic resources are to be used for a payment by a natural or legal person, entity or body listed in Annex IV or V;(b)the payment is not in breach of Article 8(2)2.The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under paragraph 1 within four weeks of the authorisation.3.Article 8(2) shall not prevent the crediting of the frozen accounts by financial or credit institutions that receive funds transferred by third parties to the account of a listed natural or legal person, entity or body, provided that any additions to such accounts will also be frozen. The financial or credit institution shall inform the relevant competent authority about any such transaction without delay.4.Provided that any such interest, other earnings and payments are frozen in accordance with Article 8, Article 8(2) shall not apply to the addition to frozen accounts of:(a)interest or other earnings on those accounts;(b)payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations that were concluded or arose before the date on which the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in Article 8 was included in Annex IV or V; or(c)payments due under judicial, administrative or arbitral decisions rendered in a Member State or enforceable in the Member State concerned.
Article 121.Without prejudice to the applicable rules concerning reporting, confidentiality and professional secrecy, natural and legal persons, entities and bodies shall:(a)supply immediately any information which would facilitate compliance with this Regulation, such as information on accounts and amounts frozen in accordance with Article 8, to the competent authority of the Member State where they are resident or located, and shall transmit such information, directly or through the Member State, to the Commission; and(b)cooperate with the competent authority in any verification of the information referred to in point (a).2.Any additional information received directly by the Commission shall be made available to the Member States.3.Any information provided or received in accordance with this Article shall be used only for the purposes for which it was provided or received.
Article 131.The freezing of funds and economic resources or the refusal to make funds or economic resources available, carried out in good faith on the basis that such action is in accordance with this Regulation, shall not give rise to liability of any kind on the part of the natural or legal person or entity or body implementing it, or its directors or employees, unless it is proved that the funds and economic resources were frozen or withheld as a result of negligence.2.Actions by natural or legal persons, entities or bodies shall not give rise to any liability of any kind on their part if they did not know, and had no reasonable cause to suspect, that their actions would infringe the measures set out in this Regulation.
Article 14It shall be prohibited to participate, knowingly and intentionally, in activities the object or effect of which is to circumvent the measures laid down in this Regulation.
Article 151.No claims in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which has been affected, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the measures imposed under this Regulation, including claims for indemnity or any other claim of this type, such as a claim for compensation or a claim under a guarantee, in particular a claim for extension or payment of a bond, guarantee or indemnity, in particular a financial guarantee or financial indemnity, of whatever form, shall be satisfied, if they are made by:(a)designated natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annexes IV and V;(b)any natural or legal person, entity or body acting through or on behalf of one of the persons, entities or bodies referred to in point (a).2.In any proceedings for the enforcement of a claim, the onus of proving that satisfying the claim is not prohibited by paragraph 1 shall be on the natural or legal person, entity or body seeking the enforcement of that claim.3.This Article is without prejudice to the right of the natural or legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in paragraph 1 to judicial review of the legality of the non-performance of contractual obligations in accordance with this Regulation.
Article 161.The Commission and Member States shall inform each other of the measures taken under this Regulation and share any other relevant information at their disposal in connection with this Regulation, in particular information concerning:(a)funds frozen under Article 8 and authorisations granted under Articles 9 to 11;(b)violation and enforcement problems and judgments handed down by national courts.2.The Member States shall immediately inform each other and the Commission of any other relevant information at their disposal which might affect the effective implementation of this Regulation.
Article 171.Where the Council decides to subject a natural or legal person, entity or body to the measures referred to in Article 8, it shall amend Annex IV or V accordingly.2.The Council shall communicate its decision, including the grounds for listing, to the natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in paragraph 1, either directly, if the address is known, or through the publication of a notice, providing such natural or legal person, entity or body with an opportunity to present observations.3.Where observations are submitted, or where substantial new evidence is presented, the Council shall review its decision and inform the natural or legal person, entity or body accordingly.4.The list set out in Annexes IV and V shall be reviewed at regular intervals and at least every 12 months.5.The Commission shall be empowered to amend Annex III on the basis of information supplied by Member States.
Article 181.Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.2.Member States shall notify the Commission of the rules referred to in paragraph 1 without delay after the entry into force of this Regulation and shall notify it of any subsequent amendment.
Article 18a1.The Council, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the "High Representative") may process personal data in order to carry out their tasks under this Regulation. These tasks include:(a)as regards the Council, preparing and making amendments to Annexes IV and V;(b)as regards the High Representative, preparing amendments to Annexes IV and V;(c)as regards the Commission:(i)adding the contents of Annexes IV and V to the electronic consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to Union financial restrictive measures and in the interactive sanctions map, both publicly available;(ii)processing information on the impact of measures taken under this Regulation, such as the value of frozen funds and information on authorisations granted by the competent authorities.2.The Council, the Commission and the High Representative may process, where applicable, relevant data relating to criminal offences committed by listed natural persons, to criminal convictions of such persons or to security measures concerning such persons, only to the extent that such processing is necessary for the preparation of Annexes IV and V.3.For the purposes of this Regulation, the Council, the Commission service listed in Annex III to this Regulation and the High Representative are designated as "controllers" within the meaning of point (8) of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilRegulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39)., in order to ensure that the natural persons concerned can exercise their rights under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.
Article 191.Member States shall designate the competent authorities referred to in this Regulation and identify them on the websites listed in Annex III. Member States shall notify the Commission of any changes in the addresses of their websites listed in Annex III.2.Member States shall notify the Commission of their competent authorities, including the contact details of those competent authorities, without delay after the entry into force of this Regulation, and shall notify it of any subsequent amendment.3.Where this Regulation sets out a requirement to notify, inform or otherwise communicate with the Commission, the address and other contact details to be used for such communication shall be those indicated in Annex III.
Article 20This Regulation shall apply:(a)within the territory of the Union, including its airspace;(b)on board any aircraft or any vessel under the jurisdiction of a Member State;(c)to any person inside or outside the territory of the Union who is a national of a Member State;(d)to any legal person, entity or body, inside or outside the territory of the Union, which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State;(e)to any legal person, entity or body in respect of any business done in whole or in part within the Union.
Article 21This Regulation shall enter into force on the date 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.ANNEX IList of equipment which might be used for internal repression as referred to in Article 31.Firearms, ammunition and related accessories therefor, as follows:1.1.Firearms not controlled by ML 1 and ML 2 of the Common Military List;1.2.Ammunition specially designed for the firearms listed in item 1.1 and specially designed components therefor;1.3.Weapon-sights not controlled by the Common Military List.2.Bombs and grenades not controlled by the Common Military List.3.Vehicles as follows:3.1.Vehicles equipped with a water cannon, specially designed or modified for the purpose of riot control;3.2.Vehicles specially designed or modified to be electrified to repel borders;3.3.Vehicles specially designed or modified to remove barricades, including construction equipment with ballistic protection;3.4.Vehicles specially designed for the transport or transfer of prisoners and/or detainees;3.5.Vehicles specially designed to deploy mobile barriers;3.6.Components for the vehicles specified in items 3.1 to 3.5 specially designed for the purposes of riot control.Note 1This item does not control vehicles specially designed for the purposes of firefighting.Note 2For the purposes of item 3.5, the term "vehicles" includes trailers.4.Explosive substances and related equipment as follows:4.1.Equipment and devices specially designed to initiate explosions by electrical or non-electrical means, including firing sets, detonators, igniters, boosters and detonating cord, and specially designed components therefor; except those specially designed for a specific commercial use consisting of the actuation or operation by explosive means of other equipment or devices the function of which is not the creation of explosions (e.g. car air-bag inflaters, electric-surge arresters of fire sprinkler actuators);4.2.Linear cutting explosive charges not controlled by the Common Military List;4.3.Other explosives not controlled by the Common Military List and related substances as follows:(a)amatol;(b)nitrocellulose (containing more than 12,5 % nitrogen);(c)nitroglycol;(d)pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN);(e)picryl chloride;(f)2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT).5.Protective equipment not controlled by ML 13 of the Common Military List as follows:5.1.Body armour providing ballistic and/or stabbing protection;5.2.Helmets providing ballistic and/or fragmentation protection, anti-riot helmets, antiriot shields and ballistic shields.Note:This item does not control:equipment specially designed for sports activities;equipment specially designed for safety of work requirements.6.Simulators, other than those controlled by ML 14 of the Common Military List, for training in the use of firearms, and specially designed software therefor.7.Night vision, thermal imaging equipment and image intensifier tubes, other than those controlled by the Common Military List.8.Razor barbed wire.9.Military knives, combat knives and bayonets with blade lengths in excess of 10 cm.10.Production equipment specially designed for the items specified in this list.11.Specific technology for the development, production or use of the items specified in this list.ANNEX IIEquipment, technology and software referred to in Articles 6 and 7General noteNotwithstanding the contents of this Annex, it shall not apply to:(a)equipment, technology or software which are specified in Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) 428/2009Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1). or the Common Military List; or(b)software which is designed for installation by the user without further substantial support by the supplier and which is generally available to the public by being sold from stock at retail selling points, without restriction, by means of:(i)over the counter transactions;(ii)mail order transactions;(iii)electronic transactions; or(iv)telephone order transactions; or(c)software which is in the public domain.The categories A, B, C, D and E refer to the categories referred to in Regulation (EC) No 428/2009.The equipment, technology and software referred to in Articles 6 and 7 is:A.List of equipmentDeep Packet Inspection equipmentNetwork Interception equipment including Interception Management Equipment (IMS) and Data Retention Link Intelligence equipmentRadio Frequency monitoring equipmentNetwork and Satellite jamming equipmentRemote Infection equipmentSpeaker recognition/processing equipmentIMSI"IMSI" stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is a unique identification code for each mobile telephony device, integrated in the SIM card, which allows for identification of such SIM via GSM and UMTS networks., MSISDN"MSISDN" stands for Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number. It is a number uniquely identifying a subscription in a GSM or a UMTS mobile network. Simply put, it is the telephone number to the SIM card in a mobile phone and therefore it identifies a mobile subscriber as well as IMSI, but to route calls through him., IMEI"IMEI" stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a number, usually unique to identify GSM, WCDMA and IDEN mobile phones as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. interception (wiretapping) can be specified by its IMEI number as well as IMSI and MSISDN., TMSI"TMSI" stands for Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is the identity that is most commonly sent between the mobile and the network. interception and monitoring equipmentTactical SMS"SMS" stands for Short Message System. /GSM"GSM" stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. /GPS"GPS" stands for Global Positioning System. /GPRS"GPRS" stands for General Package Radio Service. /UMTS"UMTS" stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System. /CDMA"CDMA" stands for Code Division Multiple Access. /PSTN"PSTN" stands for Public Switch Telephone Networks. interception and monitoring equipmentDHCP"DHCP" stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. /SMTP"SMTP" stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol., GTP"GTP" stands for GPRS Tunnelling Protocol. information interception and monitoring equipmentPattern Recognition and Pattern Profiling equipmentRemote Forensics equipmentSemantic Processing Engine equipmentWEP and WPA code breaking equipmentInterception equipment for VoIP proprietary and standard protocolB.Not usedC.Not usedD."Software" for the "development", "production" or "use" of the equipment specified in A above.E."Technology" for the "development", "production" or "use" of the equipment specified in A above.Equipment, technology and software falling within these categories is within the scope of this Annex only to the extent that it falls within the general description "internet, telephone and satellite communications interception and monitoring systems".For the purpose of this Annex, "monitoring" means acquisition, extraction, decoding, recording, processing, analysis and archiving call content or network data.ANNEX IIIWebsites for information on the competent authorities and address for notifications to the CommissionBELGIUMhttps://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/policy/policy_areas/peace_and_security/sanctionsBULGARIAhttps://www.mfa.bg/en/EU-sanctionsCZECHIAwww.financnianalytickyurad.cz/mezinarodni-sankce.htmlDENMARKhttp://um.dk/da/Udenrigspolitik/folkeretten/sanktioner/GERMANYhttps://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Aussenwirtschaft/embargos-aussenwirtschaftsrecht.htmlESTONIAhttps://vm.ee/et/rahvusvahelised-sanktsioonidIRELANDhttps://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/ireland-in-the-eu/eu-restrictive-measures/GREECEhttp://www.mfa.gr/en/foreign-policy/global-issues/international-sanctions.htmlSPAINhttps://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/PoliticaExterior/Paginas/SancionesInternacionales.aspxFRANCEhttp://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/autorites-sanctions/CROATIAhttps://mvep.gov.hr/vanjska-politika/medjunarodne-mjere-ogranicavanja/22955ITALYhttps://www.esteri.it/it/politica-estera-e-cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/politica_europea/misure_deroghe/CYPRUShttps://mfa.gov.cy/themes/LATVIAhttp://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/security/4539LITHUANIAhttp://www.urm.lt/sanctionsLUXEMBOURGhttps://maee.gouvernement.lu/fr/directions-du-ministere/affaires-europeennes/organisations-economiques-int/mesures-restrictives.htmlHUNGARYhttps://kormany.hu/kulgazdasagi-es-kulugyminiszterium/ensz-eu-szankcios-tajekoztatoMALTAhttps://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Government/SMB/Pages/SMB-Home.aspxNETHERLANDShttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/internationale-sanctiesAUSTRIAhttps://www.bmeia.gv.at/themen/aussenpolitik/europa/eu-sanktionen-nationale-behoerden/POLANDhttps://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/sankcje-miedzynarodowehttps://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/international-sanctionsPORTUGALhttps://www.portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/politica-externa/medidas-restritivasROMANIAhttp://www.mae.ro/node/1548SLOVENIAhttp://www.mzz.gov.si/si/omejevalni_ukrepiSLOVAKIAhttps://www.mzv.sk/europske_zalezitosti/europske_politiky-sankcie_euFINLANDhttps://um.fi/pakotteetSWEDENhttps://www.regeringen.se/sanktionerAddress for notifications to the European Commission:European CommissionDirectorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA)Rue de Spa 2B-1049 Brussels, BelgiumE-mail: relex-sanctions@ec.europa.euANNEX IVLIST OF NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS, ENTITIES AND BODIES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 8(3)
NameIdentifying informationReasonsDate of listing
1.Néstor Luis REVEROL TORRESDate of birth: 28 October 1964Gender: maleMinister for Electrical Energy since October 2020, Vice-President of Public Works and Services and Executive Secretary of the Electrical General Staff since April 2019. Minister for Interior, Justice and Peace from 2016 until October 2020. General in Chief of the Bolivarian National Guard since August 2020. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including the torture of (political) prisoners, and the repression of the democratic opposition in Venezuela, including the prohibition and repression of political demonstrations, committed by security forces under his command.22.1.2018
2.Gustavo Enrique GONZÁLEZ LÓPEZDate of birth: 2 November 1960Gender: maleReappointed as General Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) on 30 April 2019. Security and Intelligence Adviser to President Maduro since January 2019 and General Director of SEBIN from February 2014 to October 2018. During the times he has served as SEBIN director, officials under his ultimate authority committed acts of arbitrary detention, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, including sexual violence, in El Helicoide detention centre. As General Director of SEBIN, he is responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture, and the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition in Venezuela.22.1.2018
3.Tibisay LUCENA RAMÍREZDate of birth: 26 April 1959Gender: femaleMinister of University Education since October 2021. President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral or CNE) from April 2006 until June 2020. Her actions and policies have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by failing to ensure that the CNE remains an impartial and independent institution in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution, thereby facilitating the establishment of the Constituent Assembly and the re-election of Nicolás Maduro in May 2018 through presidential elections that were neither free nor fair.22.1.2018
4.Antonio José BENAVIDES TORRESDate of birth: 13 June 1961Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Chief of the Capital District (Distrito Capital) Government until January 2018. General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard until 21 June 2017. Involved in the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, and responsible for serious human rights violations committed by the Bolivarian National Guard under his command. His actions and policies as General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard, including the Bolivarian National Guard taking the lead in the policing of civilian demonstrations and publicly advocating that military courts should have jurisdiction over civilians, have undermined the rule of law in Venezuela.22.1.2018
5.Maikel José MORENO PÉREZDate of birth: 12 December 1965Gender: maleJudge of the Criminal Appeal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Venezuela (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). Former President and Vice President of the Supreme Court. In those roles, he has supported and facilitated the Government’s actions and policies which have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and is responsible for actions and statements that have usurped the authority of the National Assembly, including the appointment of the National Electoral Council (CNE) in June 2020 and the suspension and replacement of the leadership of three opposition parties in June and July 2020.22.1.2018
6.Tarek William SAAB HALABIDate of birth: 10 September 1963Place of birth: El Tigre, Anzoátegui state, VenezuelaGender: maleVenezuelan Attorney General appointed by the Constituent Assembly. In this role, and in previous roles as Ombudsman and President of the Republican Moral Council, he has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela by publicly supporting actions against opponents of the government of Venezuela and the withdrawal of competences from the National Assembly.22.1.2018
7.Diosdado CABELLO RONDÓNDate of birth: 15 April 1963Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly, former President of the Constituent Assembly and First Vice-President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Involved in undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, including by using the media to publicly attack and threaten political opposition, other media and civil society and giving orders to detain individuals, including to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).22.1.2018
8.Tareck Zaidan EL-AISSAMI MADDAHDate of birth: 12 November 1974Gender: maleFormer Vice President of Economy and former Minister of the Popular Power of Petroleum as well as National Industry and Production. As the former Vice President of Venezuela with oversight of the direction of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), Tareck El-Aissami is responsible for the serious human rights violations carried out by the organisation, including arbitrary detentions, politically motivated investigations, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture. He is also responsible for supporting and implementing policies and activities which undermine democracy and the rule of law, including the prohibition of public demonstrations, and heading President Maduro’s "anti-coup command" which has targeted civil society and the democratic opposition.25.6.2018
9.Sergio José RIVERO MARCANODate of birth: 8 November 1964Gender: maleInspector General of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard until 16 January 2018. Involved in the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, and responsible for serious human rights violations committed by the Bolivarian National Guard under his command, including the excessive use of force, and the arbitrary detention and abuse of civil society and opposition members. His actions and policies as General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard, including the Bolivarian National Guard assaulting members of the democratically elected National Assembly and intimidating journalists reporting on the fraudulent elections for the illegitimate Constituent Assembly, have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.25.6.2018
10.Jesús Rafael SUÁREZ CHOURIODate of birth: 19 July 1962Gender: malePresident of the Defence and Security Committee of the non-democratically elected National Assembly since January 2021. Former Chief of the General Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (between July 2019 and September 2020). Former Commander in Chief of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army (until July 2019). Former General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army and former Commander of Venezuela’s Comprehensive Defence Region of the Central Zone (REDI Central). Responsible for serious human rights violations by forces under his command during his tenure as General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army, including the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees. He has targeted the democratic opposition and supported the use of military courts to try civilian protestors.25.6.2018
11.Iván HERNÁNDEZ DALADate of birth: 18 May 1966Gender: maleMajor-General in FANB. Director-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (DGCIM) since January 2014 and Head of the Presidential Guard since September 2015. As Head of the DGCIM, Iván Hernández Dala is responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition and for serious human rights violations committed by members of the DGCIM under his command, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees.25.6.2018
12.Delcy Eloina RODRÍGUEZ GÓMEZDate of birth: 18 May 1969Gender: femaleVice-President of Venezuela, Minister of the Economy, Finances and Trade. Former President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and former member of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Her actions in the Presidential Commission and then as President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including usurping the powers of the National Assembly and using them to target the opposition and to prevent them from taking part in the political process.25.6.2018
13.Elías José JAUA MILANODate of birth: 16 December 1969Gender: maleFormer Minister of Popular Power for Education. Former President of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela through his role in leading the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly.25.6.2018
14.Sandra OBLITAS RUZZADate of birth: 7 June 1969Gender: femaleMinister of University Education. Former Rector of the Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela. Former Vice President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and former President of the Commission of the Electoral and Civilian Register. Responsible for CNE activities which have undermined democracy in Venezuela, including by facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and the manipulation of the electoral process.25.6.2018
15.Freddy Alirio BERNAL ROSALESDate of birth: 16 June 1962Place of birth: San Cristóbal, Táchira State, VenezuelaGender: maleGovernor of Táchira State since winning the elections in November 2021. Former Head of the National Control Centre of the Committee for Local Supply and Production (CLAP) and former Protector of Táchira State. Also a Commissioner General of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). As Head of the CLAP and Protector of Táchira State he was able to call upon Special Forces (FAES) and to influence appointments of judges and prosecutors. Responsible for undermining democracy through manipulation of CLAP programme distributions amongst voters. Additionally, as Commissioner General of SEBIN he is responsible for SEBIN’s activities which include serious human rights violations such as arbitrary detention.25.6.2018
16.Katherine Nayarith HARRINGTON PADRÓNDate of birth: 5 December 1971Gender: femalePresident of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. Former Deputy Prosecutor General (also translated as Deputy Attorney General) from July 2017 until October 2018. Appointed Deputy Prosecutor General by the Supreme Court rather than by the National Assembly, in violation of the Constitution. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically-motivated prosecutions and failing to investigate allegations of human rights violations by the Maduro regime.25.6.2018
17.Socorro Elizabeth HERNÁNDEZDate of birth: 11 March 1952Gender: femaleMember (Rector) of the National Electoral Council (CNE) until 12 June 2020 and member of the National Electoral Board (JNE). Responsible for the CNE's activities which have undermined democracy in Venezuela, including facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and manipulation of the electoral process in relation to a cancelled presidential recall election in 2016, postponement of gubernatorial elections in 2016, and the relocation of polling stations at short notice before gubernatorial elections in 2017.25.6.2018
18.Xavier Antonio MORENO REYESGender: maleSecretary-General of the National Electoral Council (CNE) from 2009 until June 2020. In that role, Moreno Reyes facilitated, legitimised and gave credibility to CNE decisions, since the Secretary-General of the CNE has a role in agenda-setting and formalising decisions. Moreno Reyes remained Secretary-General of CNE while democracy was severely undermined and the independent role of the CNE within the electoral process was compromised. He is therefore responsible for undermining democracy in Venezuela, including facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and the manipulation of the electoral process.25.6.2018
19.Néstor Neptali BLANCO HURTADODate of birth: 26 September 1982ID number: V-15222057Gender: maleCommander in military counterintelligence zone No 32 in the Los Llanos region. As Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), he has operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least December 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities.27.9.2019
20.Rafael Ramón BLANCO MARRERODate of birth: 28 February 1968ID number: V-6250588Gender: maleDivision General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army since 5 July 2019. Former deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities, that were committed by DGCIM officials under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta.27.9.2019
21.Carlos Alberto CALDERÓN CHIRINOSID number: V-10352300Gender: maleOfficial with the elite command of the Venezuelan National Police (PNB/FAES). Former senior office holder (referred to as General Commissioner, Director of El Helicoide and Director of Strategic Investigations) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Officials of the Directorate for Strategic Investigations under his supervision have committed illegal detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and sexual and gender-based violence. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in SEBIN facilities. In particular, he has participated in and is responsible for acts of torture and the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees at El Helicoide, a SEBIN prison.27.9.2019
22.Alexis Enrique ESCALONA MARRERODate of birth: 12 October 1962Gender: maleChief in Charge of the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing (ONDOFT) from January 2018 until May 2019. Retired Major General, former Vice Minister for prevention and public safety at the Ministry of the Interior (appointed in 2017 by President Maduro) and former National Commander of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (Comando Nacional Antiextorsión y Secuestro (CONAS)) (between 2014 and 2017). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees by members of CONAS under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of CONAS under his command.27.9.2019
23.Rafael Antonio FRANCO QUINTERODate of birth: 14 October 1973ID number: V-11311672Gender: maleBrigadier General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army (FANB). Agent in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Head of Security at Maiquetía International Airport since August 2019. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between November 2016 and November 2018. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities by members of the DGCIM under his command, notably at the Boleita detention centre. Officials under his authority were also implicated in sexual violence against detainees. Also responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by members of the DGCIM under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
24.Alexander Enrique GRANKO ARTEAGADate of birth: 25 March 1981ID Number: V-14970215Gender: maleHead (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 2017. Head of Office of DGCIM’s Boleita detention centre since 29 August 2022. From 2017 to 2022 he ordered, supervised and directly participated in arbitrary detentions, short-term enforced disappearances, torture, including sexual violence, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Bolivarian National Guard on 1 July 2020. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force causing death and injury and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities committed by himself and by officials under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of DGCIM under his command, as well as being directly involved in such repression. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
25.Hannover Esteban GUERRERO MIJARESDate of birth: 14 January 1971Gender: maleSecond Commander and Chief of Staff of the 35th Military Police Brigade since 2019. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from November 2018 to August 2019. As Director of DEIPC, he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita detention centre. During this period, acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as sexual violence, were committed by DGCIM officials at Boleita. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees committed by himself and by officials under his command, particularly in Boleita. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.27.9.2019
26.José Adelino ORNELAS FERREIRAAlias: José Adelino ORNELLA FERREIRA / José Adelino ORNELLAS FERREIRADate of birth: 14 December 1964Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V‐7087964Gender: maleSecretary‐General of the National Defence Council since 26 July 2019 and Chief of the General Staff to the Commander‐in‐Chief since September 2020. Former commander of the National Capital Integral Strategic Defence Region (REDI Capital), former Chief of Staff and former Second‐in‐Command of the Operational and Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela (CEOFANB). In these roles he has supported and facilitated actions and policies of the Government of Venezuela which have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Responsible for serious human rights violations and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela, including obstructing the provision of humanitarian aid and the use of excessive force by officials of the Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB), and by subordinate forces under his command, including the Integral Strategic Defence Region (REDI), the Integral Defence Operations Zone (ZODI) and the Bolivarian National Guard.29.6.2020
27.Gladys DEL VALLE REQUENADate of birth: 9 November 1952Place of birth: Puerto Santo, Sucre, VenezuelaID number: V-4114842Gender: femaleInspector General of the Courts since 27 April 2022. Former member of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and former member and the Second Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In her leading role in the non-recognised ANC, she has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by signing the decree that stripped the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, of his parliamentary immunity.29.6.2020
28.Tania Valentina DÍAZ GONZÁLEZDate of birth: 18 June 1963Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V-6432672Gender: femaleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and former First Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In her leading role in the non-recognised ANC she has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by signing the decree that stripped the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, of his parliamentary immunity.29.6.2020
29.Elvis Eduardo HIDROBO AMOROSODate of birth: 4 August 1963Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito Capital, VenezuelaID number: V-7659695Gender: malePresident of the National Electoral Commission of Venezuela since 24 August 2023. Former Comptroller General (between 23 October 2018 and August 2023), and former First and Second Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by banning opposition members from holding public office for 15 years and leading the non-recognised ANC, signing the "law against hatred", justifying the removal of a legally-elected opposition governor and banning Juan Guaidó from running for any public office.29.6.2020
30.Juan José MENDOZA JOVERDate of birth: 11 March 1969Place of birth: Trujillo, VenezuelaAddress: Arnoldo Gabaldón, Candelaria, Edo. TrujilloID number: V-9499372Gender: maleFormer Second Vice-President of the Venezuelan Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) and former President of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (February 2017 – April 2022). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by a number of judicial rulings in the past two years that have limited or undermined the constitutional powers of Venezuela’s democratically-elected legislative body, the National Assembly.29.6.2020
31.Jorge Elieser MÁRQUEZ MONSALVEDate of birth: 20 February 1971Place of birth: Caracas, VenezuelaID number: V-8714253Gender: maleMinister of the Office of the Presidency since November 2017 and Director-General of the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) since 7 August 2017. His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by severely limiting the rights of the Venezuelan people to a free press, free speech and information. He used the special powers of CONATEL to silence criticism and dissidents of the regime by blocking, filtering and obstructing internet websites, by revoking existing licences for radio and television stations and by refusing to grant new ones.29.6.2020
32.Farik Karin MORA SALCEDOID number: V‐8608523Gender: maleProsecutor serving at the Venezuelan First Special Court of First Instance with an office within the Directorate‐General of Military Counter‐Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). His actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically motivated prosecutions which resulted in the arbitrary detention of members of the National Assembly and other officials opposing the Maduro regime.29.6.2020
33.Dinorah Yoselin BUSTAMANTE PUERTADate of birth: 14 January 1975ID number: V‐10002096Gender: femaleProsecutor serving at the Venezuelan First Special Court of First Instance, with an office within the Directorate‐General of Military Counter‐Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). Her actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically motivated prosecutions which resulted in the arbitrary detention of members of the National Assembly and other officials opposing the Maduro regime.29.6.2020
34.Luis Eduardo PARRA RIVERODate of birth: 7 July 1978ID number: V-14211633Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Parra Rivero, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), Parra Rivero was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC).29.6.2020
35.Franklyn Leonardo DUARTEDate of birth: 15 May 1977ID number: V-3304045Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Former member and illegitimately elected first Vice-President of the National Assembly elected in 2015. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as the first Vice-President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Duarte, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), the election of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC).29.6.2020
36.José Gregorio NORIEGA FIGUEROADate of birth: 21 February 1969ID number: V-8348784Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly. Former member and illegitimately elected second Vice-President of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Illegitimately appointed director of the ad-hoc board of the political party Voluntad Popular. As a member of the National Assembly elected in 2015, he staged his election as the second Vice-President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore, opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. Shortly after the staged election of Noriega, supported by the regime’s political party (PSUV), the election of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly was welcomed by Maduro and the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). In July 2020, Noriega, helped by the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)), illegitimately took over the leadership of the political party Voluntad Popular, thereby further undermining democracy in Venezuela.29.6.2020
37.Remigio CEBALLOS ICHASODate of birth: 1 May 1963ID-number: V-6557495Gender: maleSince August 2021, Minister of the Interior and Justice of Venezuela and Vice-President of the Government for Citizen Security. Former Commander of the Operational and Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela (Comando Estratégico Operacional Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales Bolivarianas (CEOFANB)), the highest organ in the Venezuelan Armed Forces (June 2017–July 2021). CEOFANB controls the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and the Bolivarian National Guard. CEOFANB is also responsible for coordinating FANB interventions in demonstrations. In his position as Commander of CEOFANB, he was responsible for serious human rights violations, including the use of excessive force and inhuman and degrading treatment by officials of the FANB and by subordinate forces under his command, including the Bolivarian National Guard. Various sources, including the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, attribute human rights violations to FANB and the Bolivarian National Guard.22.2.2021
38.Omar José PRIETO FERNÁNDEZDate of birth: 25 May 1969ID number: V-9761075Gender: maleFormer Governor of Zulia State (2017 – 2021). In this position he has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Zulia State. He was sworn in by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC), after the legitimate winner of the election refused to be sworn in by the ANC. Omar José Prieto Fernández actively promoted the non-democratic elections for the National Assembly, which took place on 6 December 2020. Moreover, in Zulia State he threatened opposition leaders with "house visits" and stated his intention to declare Zulia State independent should an interim government led by Juan Guaidó assume power. Active member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).22.2.2021
39.José Dionisio BRITO RODRÍGUEZDate of birth: 15 January 1971ID-number: V-8263861Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and chair of the parliamentary commission that investigates the "actions perpetrated against the Republic" by members of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Furthermore, José Dionisio Brito Rodríguez illegitimately assumed leadership over opposition party Primero Justicia, due to a decision of the Supreme Court in June 2020. In 2019, he was expelled from Primero Justicia over corruption allegations. Moreover, as a member of the National Assembly, he participated in the illegitimate election of Luis Eduardo Parra Rivero as the President of the National Assembly on 5 January 2020, thereby undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The election took place while entry of several parliamentarians to the premises of the National Assembly was blocked by military police, and without a quorum being reached. Therefore opposition members had to organise themselves outside of the premises of the National Assembly to re-elect Juan Guaidó as its President. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
40.José Bernabé GUTIÉRREZ PARRADate of birth: 21 December 1952ID-number: V-1565144Gender: maleMember of the non-democratically elected National Assembly and illegitimate leader of opposition party Acción Democrática. José Bernabé Gutiérrez Parra gained illegitimate control over opposition party Acción Democrática in June 2020 via a ruling of the Supreme Court. In contravention of the party’s position prior to his take over, Gutiérrez Parra participated with Acción Democrática in the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly which took place on 6 December 2020. Gutiérrez Parra changed the position of the party, used its symbols and participated in the elections and public events such as televised debates. Gutiérrez Parra was expelled from the party by legitimate Acción Democrática members who called his actions conspiracy and betrayal. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
41.Luis Fernando DAMIANI BUSTILLOSDate of birth: 27 April 1946Gender: maleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
42.Lourdes Benicia SUÁREZ ANDERSONDate of birth: 7 March 1965Gender: femaleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since December 2005 and Vice President of the Constitutional Chamber since April 2022. Former President of the Constitutional Chamber and former first Vice-President of the Supreme Court. As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, she is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and she has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
43.Calixto Antonio ORTEGA RÍOSDate of birth: 12 October 1950Gender: maleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he is responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
44.René Alberto DEGRAVES ALMARZAGender: maleSubstitute judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since April 2022. Former judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court. As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
45.Arcadio DELGADO ROSALESDate of birth: 23 September 1954Gender: maleFormer judge and Vice-President of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, he has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights, including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. His actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and he has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
46.Carmen Auxiliadora ZULETA DE MERCHÁNDate of birth: 13 December 1947Gender: femaleFormer judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). As a member of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, she has been responsible for actions, statements and rulings that have usurped the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and undermined the opposition’s electoral rights including the unilateral appointment by the Supreme Court of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) in June 2020 and the suspension and unilateral replacement of the leadership of three of the main democratic opposition parties in June and July 2020, as well as the extension of the ruling on Acción Democrática for one more year in May 2021. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, and she has supported and facilitated the undermining of democracy and the rule of law by the executive branch.22.2.2021
47.Indira Maira ALFONZO IZAGUIRREDate of birth: 29 April 1968Place of birth: La Guaira, La Guaira State, VenezuelaID-number: V-6978710Gender: femaleFormer President of the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)). Former chairwoman of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)), appointed on 13 June 2020. Former member of the Electoral Chamber and Plenary Chamber of the Supreme Court, Second Vice-Chairwoman of the Supreme Court from 2015 until 24 February 2017, Vice-Chairwoman of the Supreme Court from 24 February 2017 until 12 June 2020. As a member of the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court, Indira Maira Alfonzo Izaguirre is responsible for the actions taken against the then newly elected National Assembly in December 2015, resulting in the impossibility for the National Assembly to exert its legislative power. Moreover, she accepted her appointment as the chairwoman of the CNE in June 2020 by the Supreme Court although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly. In that role she prepared and supervised the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly held on 6 December 2020 and participated in the change of 30 June 2020 to the electoral norms for those elections, without formally leaving the Supreme Court (temporary permit to integrate the CNE). After the renewal of the CNE in May 2021, she returned to the Supreme Court. Her actions have therefore undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.22.2.2021
48.Leonardo Enrique MORALES POLEOGender: maleFormer Vice-President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) and President of the Political Participation and Financing Commission (August 2020–May 2021). Leonardo Enrique Morales Poleo was appointed Vice-President of the CNE and President of the Political Participation and Financing Commission on 7 August 2020 by the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly. Moreover, just prior to his appointment he served in the Advanced Progressive Party (Avanzada progresista). As member (rector) and Vice-President of the CNE, he fully took part in the decision-making process of the CNE. He supported and facilitated the supervision of the electoral process that led to the non-democratic elections of the National Assembly on 6 December 2020. His actions have therefore further undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Leonardo Enrique Morales Poleo accepted to be appointed to the CNE and remained in his position as Vice-President of the CNE while democracy was severely undermined in Venezuela.22.2.2021
49.Tania D’AMELIO CARDIETDate of birth: 5 December 1971Place of birth: ItalyNationality: VenezuelanID-number: V-11691429Gender: femaleJudge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ)) since April 2022. Former member (rector) of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)) for the period 2016-2023. Former Member (rector) of the CNE for the period 2010-2016. Tania d’Amelio Cardiet, as rector of the CNE since 2010, contributed directly by her activity in her functions to the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by preparing the non-democratic 2020 National Assembly elections, participating in the change of 30 June 2020 to the electoral norms for those elections, and participating in the organisation and execution of the 2018 presidential elections. Moreover, Tania d’Amelio Cardiet accepted her 2016 appointment at the CNE by the Supreme Court, although this prerogative belongs to the National Assembly.22.2.2021
50.José Miguel DOMÍNGUEZ RAMÍREZDate of birth: 17 October 1979ID-number: V-14444352Gender: maleDirector of the Special Action Forces (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales (FAES)) since 6 May 2019. Former Chief Commissioner of the FAES in Táchira State. Additionally, José Miguel Domínguez Ramírez was the Director of Operations of the FAES, which fall within Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Police. Responsible for serious human rights violations and repressing of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela committed by FAES officials under his authority. The FAES are known for extrajudicial killings and their violent role in suppressing dissent from Maduro’s political opponents, the opposition, and protesters, which is why the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has demanded the dissolution of the FAES. Moreover, previously, Domínguez Ramírez was a member of the Venezuelan security team that opened fire on unarmed student protestors on 12 February 2014, resulting in the death of at least one of the students, Bassil Da Costa.22.2.2021
51.Carlos Ramón Enrique CARVALLO GUEVARAID-number: V-10132041Gender: malePresident of state enterprise Corporación Ecosocialista Ezequiel Zamora (CORPOEZ) since March 2021. Division General and Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 21 August 2020. Successor of General Rafael Ramón Blanco Marrero. Previously, Carvallo Guevara served for the DGCIM in Los Andes region and held an upper rank in the Bolivarian National Guard. Responsible for the serious human rights violations in Venezuela committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of 20 September 2022, DGCIM is characterised as an institution directly responsible for carrying out severe human rights violations.22.2.2021
52.Jesús Emilio VÁSQUEZ QUINTEROID-number: V-7422049Gender: malePresident of the Court Martial and the Military Criminal Judicial Circuit since 17 September 2021. Division General since 5 July 2019 and former Attorney General of the Military Prosecutor’s Office (December 2017 - 17 September 2021). As Attorney General of the Military Prosecutor’s Office, responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The Military Prosecutor’s Office has been linked to internal judicial prosecution in the Armed Forces, and failures to investigate incidents, including the case of the death of Captain Acosta in 2019. Moreover, military justice is being applied to civilians.22.2.2021
53.Carlos Enrique TERÁN HURTADOID-number: V-8042567Gender: maleDivision General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Armed Forces since 2022. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from August 2019 to February 2021. In previous functions, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado served as head of the police in Falcón state and head of DGCIM in Táchira state. Responsible for the serious human rights violations, including cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees, committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the detailed findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado is specifically pointed out as one of the responsible actors, and is linked to the Captain de la Sotta case.22.2.2021
54.Manuel Eduardo PÉREZ URDANETADate of birth: 29 December 1960 or 26 May 1962Place of birth: Cagua, State of AraguaID-number: V-6357038Passport number: 001234503 (expired 2012)Gender: maleFormer Deputy Minister of the Interior and Justice. Within the Venezuelan Ministry of the Interior and Justice, Brigadier General Manuel Eduardo Pérez Urdaneta ranked as one of five Deputy Ministers. His portfolio encompassed Preventive Security and Public Safety (Viceministro de prevención y Seguridad Ciudadana). Before that, Brigadier General Pérez served as Director of the Bolivarian National Police. In that role he was responsible for serious human rights violations, including the use of severe physical force against peaceful protesters, committed by officials of the Bolivarian National Police under his authority.22.2.2021.
55.Douglas Arnoldo RICO GONZÁLEZDate of birth: 28 September 1969ID-number: V-6864238Gender: maleDirector of the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal, and Forensic Investigations (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas (CICPC)) since 5 February 2016. Previously, he acted as CICPC deputy director. Responsible for serious human rights violations, by CICPC officials under his authority. The report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela characterises CICPC as an institution that commits systematic human rights violations in Venezuela. CICPC is also involved in extra-judicial killings, according to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released on 16 June 2021.22.2.2021
ANNEX VList of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 8(4)