State Department banned entry into the country of “officials aligned with Maduro” / Photo: Courtesy
The United States on Thursday sanctioned 16 Venezuelan officials, including members of the National Electoral Council (CNE), the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Assembly, for “falsely” proclaiming the victory of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the July 28 presidential elections.
Among those sanctioned are the president of the Supreme Court, Caryslia Rodríguez, the general secretary of the CNE, Antonio José Meneses, and the vice president of the National Assembly, Pedro Infante Aparicio.
“Rather than respecting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely claimed victory while repressing and intimidating the democratic opposition in an illegitimate attempt to cling to power,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
In total, the Treasury Department announced financial sanctions against 16 people “aligned with Maduro,” including members of the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the National Assembly, whom it accuses of having “impeded a transparent electoral process and the publication of accurate election results.”
At the same time, the State Department banned the entry into the country of “officials aligned with Maduro who have undermined the electoral process in Venezuela and who are responsible for acts of repression.”
With the measures announced today, there are now more than 140 Venezuelan officials sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury and nearly 2,000 individuals subject to visa restrictions by the U.S. State Department.
“The United States will continue to hold those who undermine democracy in Venezuela accountable,” Blinken warned.
The CNE declared Maduro’s re-election in the July 28 elections without publishing the voting records, but the opposition claims victory for its standard-bearer, Edmundo González Urrutia, who recently traveled to Spain and requested asylum in that country.
Washington / EFE
#USA #sanctions #members #CNE #TSJ
2024-09-16 15:00:11
What prompted the U.S. to impose sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials?
Table of Contents
- 0.1 What prompted the U.S. to impose sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials?
- 0.2 Claimed victory in a flawed electoral process.” He emphasized the commitment of the United States to supporting democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
- 1 U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 16 Venezuelan Officials, Bans Entry into the Country
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 16 Venezuelan Officials, Bans Entry into the Country
In a move to hold accountable those responsible for undermining democracy in Venezuela, the United States on Thursday imposed financial sanctions on 16 high-ranking officials aligned with President Nicolás Maduro. The sanctions, issued by the Treasury Department, target members of the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the National Assembly, whom the U.S. accuses of falsifying the results of the July 28 presidential elections.
Sanctions Against Maduro’s Allies
The sanctioned individuals include prominent figures such as Caryslia Rodríguez, the president of the Supreme Court, Antonio José Meneses, the general secretary of the National Electoral Council, and Pedro Infante Aparicio, the vice president of the National Assembly. These officials, according to the U.S. government, have played a crucial role in impeding a transparent electoral process and publishing inaccurate election results.
State Department’s Ban on Entry into the Country
In addition to the financial sanctions, the State Department has also banned the entry into the United States of “officials aligned with Maduro who have undermined the electoral process in Venezuela and who are responsible for acts of repression.” This move aims to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and democratic backsliding in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of State’s Statement
In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the actions of the Maduro regime, saying, “Rather than respecting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely claimed victory while repressing and intimidating the democratic opposition in an illegitimate attempt to cling to power.”
Increased Pressure on the Maduro Regime
The latest sanctions and travel ban mark an escalation of pressure on the Maduro regime, which has been accused of human rights abuses, corruption, and democratic backsliding. The U.S. has consistently supported the democratic opposition in Venezuela, led by Juan Guaidó, who has been recognized as the interim president by the U.S. and over 50 other countries.
Background on the Venezuelan Crisis
Venezuela has been mired in a deepening political and economic crisis since 2016, characterized by hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and widespread human rights abuses. The crisis has driven millions of Venezuelans to flee the country, creating a regional refugee crisis.
International Community’s Response
The international community has been increasingly critical of the Maduro regime, with the European Union, Canada, and other countries imposing their own sanctions and travel bans. The Organization of American States has also condemned the regime’s actions, calling for free and fair elections and an end to human rights abuses.
Conclusion
The latest sanctions and travel ban imposed by the United States are a strong signal to the Maduro regime that the international community will not tolerate democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. The move is expected to increase pressure on the regime to respect the will of the Venezuelan people and to hold free and fair elections.
Keywords: Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, U.S. sanctions, travel ban, democracy, human rights, political crisis, economic crisis, Juan Guaidó, international community.
Claimed victory in a flawed electoral process.” He emphasized the commitment of the United States to supporting democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 16 Venezuelan Officials, Bans Entry into the Country
The United States has taken a significant step in holding accountable those responsible for undermining democracy in Venezuela. On Thursday, the U.S. imposed financial sanctions on 16 high-ranking officials aligned with President Nicolás Maduro, citing their role in falsifying the results of the July 28 presidential elections. The sanctions target members of the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the National Assembly.
Sanctions Against Maduro’s Allies
The sanctioned individuals include prominent figures such as Caryslia Rodríguez, the president of the Supreme Court, Antonio José Meneses, the general secretary of the National Electoral Council, and Pedro Infante Aparicio, the vice president of the National Assembly. These officials, according to the U.S. government, have played a crucial role in impeding a transparent electoral process and publishing inaccurate election results.
State Department’s Ban on Entry into the Country
In addition to the financial sanctions, the State Department has also banned the entry into the United States of “officials aligned with Maduro who have undermined the electoral process in Venezuela and who are responsible for acts of repression.” This move aims to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and democratic backsliding in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of State’s Statement
In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the actions of the Maduro regime, saying, “Rather than respecting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely
