This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On September 27, 2019, the European Union imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelan intelligence and security officials accused of torturing to death Rafael Acosta, a naval officer accused of plotting a coup.
Responding to the sanctions, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said, "I don't care about the European Union sanctions, the sanctions of the European Union make us laugh," adding that the EU was "sinking in the mud of Donald Trump's failed Venezuela policy."
Maduro's comments came as the EU tightened its sanctions on his regime, imposing European travel bans and asset freezes on the officials.
The sanctions were approved by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, as the bloc seeks to keep up pressure on Maduro's government.
Maduro's regime is facing an economic crisis and a political standoff with the National Assembly leader Juan Guaido. The country is suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods, forcing some 3.6 million people to flee since 2016.
