European Union sanctions 11 Venezuelan officials, including Luis Parra

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Venezuela: the oficialismo recognizes Luis Parra 1:51

(CNN Spanish) - The European Union sanctioned 11 Venezuelan officials on Monday for their role in "acts and decisions that undermined democracy and the exercise of law" in the South American country.

Among them, is included in the list the deputy Luis Parra, whom the ruling party and some dissident opponents consider president of the National Assembly.

CNN has tried to contact Parra, but has not yet received a response. In January, when he was sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department, he considered "unacceptable that foreign countries try to condition the performance and freedom of conscience of our parliamentarians."

Luis Parra (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

The Council of the European Union considers that these people are responsible for "acting against the democratic functioning of the National Assembly", including the decision to strip parliamentary immunity of many of its members, including its president Juan Guaidó, recognized as president interim of Venezuela for more than 50 countries.

They noted that other actions that motivated the decision are "to initiate politically motivated prosecutions and create obstacles in a political and democratic solution to the Venezuelan crisis," as well as "serious violations of human rights and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, such as the freedom of press and expression ”.

With the decision of this Monday, there are already 36 individuals sanctioned. This punishment stipulates a prohibition of entry to the countries of the European Union and the freezing of their assets that are in the banks of the block.

In a statement, the European Council indicates that these measures do not affect the general population.

"The European Union will continue to work to promote a peaceful democratic solution in Venezuela, through credible and inclusive legislative elections," says the message.

Following the EU announcement, the questioned President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced that he gave the European Union ambassador 72 hours to leave the country.

Given this, the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said on Twitter that the bloc condemns and rejects "the expulsion of our ambassador in Caracas" and that reciprocity measures will be taken.

We condemn and reject the expulsion of our ambassador in Caracas. We will take the usual necessary measures of reciprocity. Only a negotiated solution between Venezuelans will allow the country to emerge from its deep crisis.

- Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 30, 2020

Osmary Hernández contributed to this report.

Luis Parra