US sanctions ‘violate GATT’, says Venezuela

The government of Venezuela has complained to the World Trade Organisation that the sanctions imposed against it by the United States represent ‘coercive trade-restrictive measures…in the context of attempts to isolate Venezuela economically,’ and are in violation of its obligations under several articles of its Generally Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (‘GATT’).

The complaint refers to the US’s inclusion of Venezuelan individuals on the US Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (‘SDN List’) and several statutes, regulations and executive orders. The complaint was brought in late December.

Meanwhile, the United States, European Union and a regional bloc (‘the Lima Group’) have pledged their support for opposition Juan Guaido – whom President Trump has said he recognises as the legitimate leader of Venezuela in place of Nicolas Maduro.

Pro-Madury Russian politicians, however, have warned against attempts by the United States to organise a ‘popular revolution’ against Maduro, while Turkey’s president, Tayyip Recep Erdogan, has also given the standing president his support.

In the latest developments, Juan Guaido has declared himself to be the president of Venezuela, and the government of Nicolas Maduro has said that it is severing diplomatic ties with the United States – giving diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

The complaint is at:
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Search/FE_S_S006.aspx?Query=(%20@Symbol=%20(wt/ds574/1%20))&Language=ENGLISH&Context=FomerScriptedSearch&languageUIChanged=true#