Caracas, Nov 19 (TIWN) Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Felix Plasencia has condemned the recent decision by the Council of the European Union (EU) to renew sanctions against officials of the South American country for another year.

"We strongly condemn this new attack on our people and we consider this insolent renewal an act of hostility," Plasencia said on Twitter.  According to Plasencia, the move is aimed at undermining the ruling socialist party in the lead-up to regional and local elections on Nov. 21.  The council's objective appears to be to "torpedo the democratic celebration next Sunday," he said.