Spain refuses to sell riot gear to Venezuela

MADRID, April 4 (UPI) -- The Spanish government has decided it will no longer sell riot-control equipment to Venezuela.

According to Spanish government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, a government commission comprised of the foreign affairs, defense, interior, and commerce ministers agreed in March to suspend the riot gear sales.

The sale of military equipment to another country, one of the officials said, is reviewed by an inter-ministerial government commission that takes into account "the internal stability of the nation destined" to receive the military equipment.

In 2013, Spain sold $3.5 million worth of riot-control equipment to Venezuela.

Anti-government demonstrations began in Venezuela in February, demanding an end to goods shortages, inflation, and high crime. Protesters have accused President Maduro's government of responding violently to their opposition, with at least 20 killed during protests.

One of those killed, the Spanish foreign ministry reported, included dual Spanish-Venezuelan citizen Wilder Carballo Amayo, who died in February from a gunshot wound to the head.

[CNN]