Sept. 13 (UPI) – The United States has announced new sanctions and visa restrictions targeting individuals linked to Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro. The Biden administration accuses these officials of interfering in the recent presidential election and suppressing opposition voices.
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 16 officials associated with Maduro’s government. This group includes members of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) and judges from the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Additionally, military intelligence and other government officials were also targeted by these measures.
The State Department has also imposed visa restrictions on an undisclosed number of Maduro’s allies.
“The United States is taking strong action against Maduro and his representatives due to their repression of the Venezuelan people and denial of their right to a free and fair election,” said Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.
Venezuela is facing a renewed political crisis as the U.S. and other democratic nations question the legitimacy of the CNE’s announcement that Maduro won a third term in office during the July presidential election.
Last month, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice confirmed Maduro’s victory, despite opposition claims from candidate Edmundo González, who argued that he had won with about 67% of the vote.
Many countries have rejected the election results, criticizing the CNE for failing to provide evidence supporting Maduro’s alleged win. They have also expressed support for González, with the U.S. playing a prominent role.
Since the election, Maduro’s administration has detained over 2,400 people who protested against his rule and issued an arrest warrant for González on charges related to terrorism, conspiracy, and election-related crimes. González has since fled to Spain.
Senior U.S. State Department officials, speaking via teleconference on Thursday, explained that the sanctions target those involved in denying Venezuelans their right to free and fair elections and those who have acted against the opposition.
Among those sanctioned are Luis Ernesto Duenez Reyes, the prosecutor who requested González’s arrest, and Edward Miguel Briceno Cisneros, the judge who issued the arrest warrant.
“We are taking these actions because it is clear that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s presidential election on July 28,” said one official. “Maduro and his representatives are trying to deny this fact and cling to power at any cost.”
The U.S. sanctions freeze the assets of the targeted individuals held in the U.S. and prohibit American citizens from conducting business with them.
The Treasury Department has now sanctioned over 140 current or former Venezuelan officials, while the State Department has identified nearly 2,000 individuals who may face visa restrictions for their roles in undermining democracy, engaging in significant corruption, or violating human rights in Venezuela.