Should the EU sanction member countries with authoritarian governments?

Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by a strong central government and limited personal freedoms. These governments lack a constitution which protects civil liberties and the rights of individuals to criticize the government. In 2015 the U.S. passed sanctions against Venezuela for failing to have a Democratic government. Critics of the sanctions argued that the U.S. singled out Venezuela and failed to pass sanctions against its allies in the Middle East who are governed by authoritarian regimes. Opponents of sanctions argue that they make authoritarian regimes stronger since the rulers of such countries use the losses caused by sanctions to strengthen their grip on power. Proponents argue that the sanctions are a necessary threat to keep EU members from voting in oppressive authoritarian regimes.