The United Kingdom has confirmed that Venezuela's newly sworn-in interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, is banned from entering the country due to her role in targeting political opponents.
Sanctions Remain in Force
Sky News has verified through Treasury documents that Rodriguez was added to the UK sanctions list in 2020 and her designation remains active. She assumed the interim presidency following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces during a raid on Venezuela.
The sanctions impose a comprehensive set of restrictions on Rodriguez, including:
- An asset freeze within UK jurisdiction.
- Disqualification from acting as a company director in the UK.
- A strict travel ban prohibiting entry or stay in the UK.
Reasons for the Designation
The UK government stated there were reasonable grounds to suspect Rodriguez's actions had undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. Specifically, her roles on the Presidential Commission and as president of the Constituent Assembly were cited for usurping the powers of the National Assembly and using them to target opposition figures, preventing their participation in the political process.
Her UK sanctions originated from earlier European Union measures, which were grandfathered into British law following Brexit. The EU first designated Rodriguez in 2018.
Political Reaction and Broader Context
The confirmation of her sanctioned status prompted criticism from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who questioned how the situation in Venezuela could improve when its new leader is part of a regime already deemed illegitimate by the UK.
Rodriguez is one of numerous high-ranking members of the Maduro regime subject to UK sanctions, which notably do not include Maduro himself. The UK regulations aim to encourage the Venezuelan government to:
- Respect democratic principles and human rights.
- Refrain from repressing civil society.
- Engage in good-faith negotiations to resolve the political crisis.
Senior Labour MP and Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair, Dame Emily Thornberry, noted that sanctions affect a significant portion of Venezuela's establishment, including the judiciary and military. She emphasised that removing Maduro was only part of the solution, stating "much more work that needs to be done" to achieve change.
The travel ban mandates that any visa applications from Rodriguez will be refused. If a sanctioned individual were already in the UK, their permission to stay would be cancelled and removal steps initiated.
A Downing Street source declined to comment on the sanctions, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been approached for a statement.
