Pedestrians pass a sign featuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that covers a building in Caracas, Venezuela,  March 2, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

CARACAS - The Venezuelan government on Monday slammed the European Union (EU) decision to extend unilateral coercive measures against the South American country until May 14, 2024.

The decision is "arrogant and unlawful" and "violates the sacred principles of the Constitution and transgresses the norms of the UN Charter," the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The EU, which has imposed sanctions against Venezuela since 2017, extended the sanctions on Monday for six more months

The EU decision is an example of the "policy of interference in the internal affairs" of Venezuela, applying "degrading, harmful and unjust measures, which in this case, seek to punish Venezuelan citizens who exercise their functions within the framework of the law," the statement said.

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The ministry also reiterated a UN resolution, approved last week, which highlighted that unilateral coercive measures "are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations between states."

Venezuela will continue its struggle for the definitive cessation of sanctions, the ministry said, urging the EU "to avoid colonialist practices" and to create positive spaces for cooperation.

The EU, which has imposed sanctions against Venezuela since 2017, extended the sanctions on Monday for six more months.