These Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) to establish a sanctions regime in relation to Venezuela for the purposes of encouraging the Government of Venezuela to: respect democratic principles and institutions, the separation of powers and the rule of law; refrain from the repression of civil society; participate in good faith in negotiations with its political opponents; comply with international human rights law and respect human rights. Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, these Regulations replace the EU sanctions regime in relation to Venezuela currently in force under an EU Council Decision and Regulation.