brussels european union foreign minister approve economic sanction include arm embargo venezuela monday say regional elections last month mar report irregularities deepen country crisis anxious push caracas close economic political collapse debt restructure talk begin eu governments hold back target individuals bloc instead leave name late stage try persuade president nicholas maduro calm situation everything aim seek dialogue government opposition find democratic peaceful solution spain foreign minister alfonso dastis tell reporters meet counterparts sanction decision make venezuelan opposition leaders say last week would resume efforts hold dialogue maduro even though say previously use talk stall time instead implement serious reform weekend maduro term imminent sanction bloc stupid monday government say illegal absurd eu measure violation international norms european institutions show lamentable shameful subordination u.s. government add spain long push sanction close maduro washington accuse instal dictatorship slap sanction july eu divide target arm embargo add venezuela eu list include north korea syria european defense company long business sale goods deem use repression also ban britain sell 1.4 million pound 1.83 million worth arm venezuela may 2010 march 2017 accord campaign arm trade caat lobby end arm sales repressive governments joint statement 28 eu minister say legal basis individual travel ban eu freeze venezuelan assets bloc use gradual flexible manner expand representatives maduro government due meet investors caracas monday discuss renegotiate 60 billion foreign debt eu governments want give former spanish prime minister jose luis rodriguez zapatero eu main envoy venezuela another chance try negotiations despite unsuccessful efforts 2016. statement minister say regional elections hold venezuela oct. 15 turn point harden bloc position take place amid report numerous irregularities result appear favor maduro rule socialists poll suggest opposition would easily win majority end handful governorships accord pro-government electoral board eu minister decide target sanction late stage say would focus security force government minister institutions accuse human right violations non-respect democratic principles rule law experts say individual u.s. sanction spearhead u.s. president donald trump provide strong symbolism little impact maduro policies oil-sector financial sanction may way force venezuelan government change eu ready sanction venezuela approve arm embargo