Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/49 of 9 January 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2025/49 10.1.2025 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/49 of 9 January 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 (1). (2) On 4 August 2024, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) issued a declaration on behalf of the Union which stated that the Union continues to follow developments in Venezuela with great concern, including the fact that the presidential election held on 28 July 2024 in Venezuela did not meet international standards of electoral integrity. The declaration further stated that without the publication of the official voting records by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE), the officially published results of the election published on 2 August 2024 by the CNE cannot be recognised. The declaration also stated that the Union is seriously concerned about the growing number of arbitrary detentions and the continued harassment of the opposition, and called on Venezuelan authorities to put an end to arbitrary detentions, repression and violent rhetoric against members of the opposition and civil society, and to release all political prisoners. (3) On 24 August 2024, the High Representative issued a second declaration on behalf of the Union on the post-election developments stating that the Union remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezuela. The declaration also stated that only complete and independently verifiable results will be accepted and recognised to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people is respected, and that the Union will continue to facilitate a Venezuelan-led dialogue that provides guarantees to both sides and leads to the restoration of democracy and to solving the current humanitarian and socio-economic crisis in the country. (4) In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council stated that it remained extremely concerned about the situation in Venezuela and the human rights violations reported following the 28 July 2024 presidential election. It urged the Venezuelan authorities to respect the democratic will of the Venezuelan people and to end violence, repression and harassment of the opposition and civil society. Furthermore, in those conclusions, the European Council stated that political prisoners must be released, and that only complete and independently verifiable results will be accepted and recognised. The European Council conclusions also stated that the Union will continue to work with regional partners to support the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations and that it stands ready to support a constructive and inclusive transition with guarantees for both sides, to resolve the country’s political impasse and restore democratic institutions peacefully. Moreover, the European Council stated in its conclusions that the Union is ready to mobilise all the instruments at its disposal to support democracy in Venezuela. (5) In light of recent developments in Venezuela and the lack of progress towards a Venezuelan-led dialogue leading to the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, and in view of the continued grave human rights situation in the country, the Council considers that 15 persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074. (6) Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision. (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 60, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2017/2074/oj). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj 1/10EN OJ L, 10.1.2025 Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Brussels, 9 January 2025. For the Council The President A. SZŁAPKA 2/10 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/ojANNEX The following persons are added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074: Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing ‘56. Caryslia Beatriz President of the Supreme Court of Justice of President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ) and President of the 10.1.2025 RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ Venezuela (TSJ) and President of the Electoral Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela since January Chamber of the TSJ 2024. In her function as President of the Electoral Chamber, Caryslia Beatriz Rodríguez Rodríguez is responsible for declaring the proclaimed win of Nicolás DOB: 16.7.1967 Maduro in the 28 July 2024 presidential election as indisputable, although the POB: Maracay, Aragua TSJ did not divulge the detailed voting data on which its ruling was based and despite irregularities in the management of the electoral process by the National Nationality: Venezuelan Electoral Council (CNE). ID number (Cédula): In her capacity as President of the Electoral Chamber of the TSJ, she is also responsible for interfering in the opposition primary elections, hence 8671555 obstructing the opposition’s preparation for the July 2024 presidential election. Gender: female Therefore, the actions of Caryslia Beatriz Rodríguez Rodríguez have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. 57. Fanny Beatriz MÁRQUEZ Vice President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Vice President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ) and of the 10.1.2025 CORDERO Venezuela (TSJ) and of the Electoral Chamber of the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela. In this role, TSJ Fanny Beatriz Márquez Cordero was involved in the certification by the TSJ of Nicolás Maduro’s win in the 28 July 2024 presidential election, although the TSJ DOB: 5.2.1969 did not divulge the detailed voting data on which its ruling was based and National ID number (Cédula) 6272864 despite irregularities in the management of the electoral process by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Nationality: Venezuelan Therefore, the actions of Fanny Beatriz Márquez Cordero have undermined Gender: female democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj 3/10 OJ L, 10.1.2025 ENName Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 58. Inocencio Antonio Judge at the Constitutional Chamber of the Judge at the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of 10.1.2025 FIGUEROA ARIZALETA Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ). Venezuela (TSJ). In this role, he supported the Electoral Chamber of the TSJ in certifying the win of Nicolás Maduro in the 28 July 2024 presidential election, DOB: 17.12.1959 although the TSJ did not divulge detailed voting data on which its ruling was National ID number (Cédula): 5016509 based and despite irregularities in the management of the electoral process by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Nationality: Venezuelan Therefore, the actions of Inocencio Antonio Figueroa Arizaleta have Gender: male undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. 59. Malaquías GIL RODRÍGUEZ Judge, President of the Political-Administrative Judge serving as the President of the Political-Administrative Chamber of the 10.1.2025 Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ) since 2022. In this position, Venezuela (TSJ) Malaquías Gil Rodríguez was involved in the decision by the Chamber to disqualify opposition leader María Corina Machado as candidate in the DOB: 27.2.1960 presidential election of 28 July 2024, in January 2024. POB: Carache, Estado Trujillo, Venezuela Therefore, the actions of Malaquías Gil Rodríguez have undermined democracy National ID number (Cédula): 5352190 and the rule of law in Venezuela. Nationality: Venezuelan Gender: male 4/10 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj EN OJ L, 10.1.2025Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 60. Antonio José MENESES Secretary-General of the National Electoral Council Secretary-General of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) since 10.1.2025 RODRÍGUEZ of Venezuela (CNE) August 2023. In this role, Antonio José Meneses Rodríguez delayed the processes in the electoral centers and forbade the acceptance of messages from DOB: 10.12.1980 the opposition addressed to the CNE revealing irregularities. Before assuming his ID number (Cédula): V14316687 function at the CNE, he signed a document of the Supreme Audit Office confirming the suspension of the electoral rights of opposition leader María Nationality: Venezuelan Corina Machado. Gender: male Therefore, Antonio José Meneses Rodríguez is responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. 61. Carlos Enrique QUINTERO Vice President of the National Electoral Council of Vice President of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE). As Vice 10.1.2025 CUEVAS Venezuela (CNE) President of the CNE, Carlos Enrique Quintero Cuevas fully took part in the decision-making process of the CNE which impeded a transparent electoral DOB: 16.2.1972 process and the release of accurate election results and thus played a crucial role Passport number: 10719241 in the management of the presidential election of 28 July 2024. Nationality: Venezuelan Therefore, his actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Gender: male ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj 5/10 OJ L, 10.1.2025 ENName Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 62. Conrado Ramón PÉREZ Principal Rector of the National Electoral Council Principal Rector of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela since 10.1.2025 BRICEÑO (CNE) of Venezuela October 2024. He joined the CNE as alternate Rector and Member of the National Electoral Board of the CNE in August 2023. DOB: 24.4.1954 In his roles as alternate Rector and Member of the National Electoral Board of POB: Trujillo State, Venezuela the CNE, Conrado Ramón Pérez Briceño participated in the decisions by the National ID number (Cédula): 4323185 CNE in relation to the management of the electoral process, which impeded a transparent electoral process and the release of accurate election results and Nationality: Venezuelan thus played a crucial role in the management of the presidential election of 28 July 2024. Gender: male Therefore, his actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. 63. Rosalba GIL PACHECO Principal Rector of the National Electoral Council Principal Rector of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) and 10.1.2025 of Venezuela (CNE) and President of the Civil and President of the Civil and Electoral Registry Commission, and Member of the Electoral Registry Commission, and Member of the Political Participation and Financing Commission of the National Electoral Political Participation and Financing Commission Council (CNE) of Venezuela since August 2023. of the CNE In her role as principal Rector of the CNE, Rosalba Gil Pacheco participated in DOB: 18.3.1965 the decisions by the CNE in relation to the management of the electoral process which has impeded a transparent electoral process and the release of accurate National ID number (Cédula): 6186648 election results and thus played a crucial role in the management of the Nationality: Venezuelan presidential election of 28 July 2024. Gender: female Therefore, her actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. 6/10 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj EN OJ L, 10.1.2025Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 64. Luis Ernesto DUEÑEZ Assistant Prosecutor, Public Prosecutor’s Office of Assistant Prosecutor in the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s office. In this role, 10.1.2025 REYES Venezuela Luis Ernesto Dueñez Reyes was involved in the political prosecution of Edmundo González Urrutia, presidential candidate of the democratic DOB: 20.9.1988 opposition. POB: San Cristobal, Venezuela Edmundo González Urrutia is being prosecuted for multiple political “crimes”, National ID number (Cédula): 18880942 as a result of which he was forced into exile. Nationality: Venezuelan Therefore, the actions of Luis Ernesto Dueñez Reyes have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Gender: male 65. Edward Miguel BRICEÑO Special Judge, First Court of First Instance of Special Judge of the First Court of First Instance with jurisdiction over cases 10.1.2025 CISNEROS Venezuela related to crimes associated with terrorism, and competence to hear crimes associated with corruption and organised crime. In this role, Edward Miguel ID number (Cédula): Briceño Cisneros issued an arrest warrant on 2 September 2024 against V-17514632 Edmundo González Urrutia, presidential candidate of the democratic opposition. Nationality: Venezuelan Edmundo González Urrutia is being prosecuted for multiple political “crimes”, Gender: male as a result of which he was forced into exile. Therefore, Edward Miguel Briceño Cisneros is responsible for the repression of the democratic opposition in Venezuela and his actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj 7/10 OJ L, 10.1.2025 ENName Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 66. Alexis José RODRÍGUEZ Director, Bolivarian National Intelligence Service Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). He was 10.1.2025 CABELLO (SEBIN) appointed by Nicolás Maduro in that function on 14 October 2024. DOB: 1.10.1965 The SEBIN has been involved in serious human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and the repression of the democratic ID number (Cédula): opposition in Venezuela. V-8959785 As director of the SEBIN, Alexis José Rodríguez Cabello is responsible for serious Nationality: Venezuelan human rights violations and abuses, and repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela. Gender: male 67. Miguel Antonio MUÑOZ Deputy Director of the Bolivarian National Deputy Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) since 10.1.2025 PALACIOS Intelligence Service (SEBIN) 2021. SEBIN Officials under his supervision have committed acts of arbitrary detention, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, including sexual violence, DOB: 12.7.1964 in “El Helicoide” detention centre, a SEBIN prison. Passport number: 6186648 As Deputy Director of SEBIN Miguel Antonio Muñoz Palacios is therefore Nationality: Venezuelan responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, inhuman and degrading treatment, torture, and the repression of civil society Gender: male and the democratic opposition in Venezuela. 8/10 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj EN OJ L, 10.1.2025Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 68. Elio Ramón ESTRADA Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard of Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) since July 2023. 10.1.2025 PAREDES Venezuela (GNB) As commander of the GNB, Elio Ramón Estrada Paredes was involved in serious DOB: 2.12.1966 human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, and the repression of civil society and democratic POB: Caracas, Venezuela opposition in Venezuela following the 28 July 2024 presidential election. ID number (Cédula): Prior to his appointment as Commander of the GNB in July 2023, Elio Ramón 6857541 Estrada Paredes led the Bolivarian National Police Corps (PNB) from May 2019 to July 2023, overseeing operations that resulted in human rights violations. Nationality: Venezuelan Therefore, Elio Ramón Estrada Paredes is responsible for serious human rights Gender: male violations and repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Venezuela. 69. Asdrúbal José BRITO Director of the Criminal Investigations department Director of the Criminal Investigations department (DEIPC) of the Directorate 10.1.2025 HERNÁNDEZ (DEIPC) General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) since 2021. DOB: 6.1.1974 The DEIPC is in charge of conducting investigations and obtaining evidence against dissidents and opponents, as well as developing dossiers with Nationality: Venezuelan information on potential targets. It also carries out arrests against such targets Gender: male and leads interrogations of detainees in Boleíta, the headquarters of DGCIM and known location of especially high numbers of human rights violations and crimes, especially torture. As Director of the DEIPC, Asdrúbal José Brito Hernández is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities carried out by members of the DEIPC under his command, particularly at Boleíta Detention Centre. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj 9/10 OJ L, 10.1.2025 ENName Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 70. Domingo Antonio Strategic Operational Commander of the National Strategic Operational Commander of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of 10.1.2025’ HERNÁNDEZ LÁREZ Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB) Venezuela (FANB) since 2021. The FANB was implicated in human rights violations during the repressions of peaceful demonstrations following the DOB: 9.3.1964 28 July 2024 presidential election. Passport number: 6133376 In his role as Strategic Operational Commander of the FANB, Domingo Antonio Nationality: Venezuelan Hernández Lárez is responsible for the integration, planning, programming, direction, execution, supervision, command and strategic operational control of Gender: male security operations. Through his direct chain of command, he is responsible for human rights violations committed by members of the FANB, including killings, arbitrary arrests and repression of the opposition. 10/10 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/49/oj EN OJ L, 10.1.2025