An additional 21 associates of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have been sanctioned by the United States, which accused them on Wednesday of participating in some of the violence used by Venezuelan authorities in the wake of the disputed July presidential election.
The head of the country’s correctional agency, the director of an intelligence agency, and the minister of Maduro’s Office of the President are among the security and cabinet-level personnel that the Department of the Treasury has approved.
They joined scores of other Venezuelans who have been sanctioned, including prosecutors, ministries, and the head of the country’s high court.
Acknowledgement of Opposition by Biden Administration
Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, was acknowledged by the Biden administration last week as the president-elect of Venezuela.
Following the July 28 election, the U.S. also restricted visas for other people it claimed were persecuting Venezuelans on Wednesday.
Despite declaring victory in the election, Maduro and his administration have not produced the vote totals to support their claim.
Following the issuance of an arrest order in conjunction with an inquiry into the publication of vote tallies, González fled Venezuela for exile in Spain in September. Representing the major opposition groups, the former ambassador declared that he had won the presidential election by a significant margin.
The U.S. government sanctioned 16 of Maduro’s associates in September, claiming they were violating human rights and impeding the vote.
It’s unclear what impact the individual penalties and visa restrictions that were announced on Wednesday will have. Formerly imprisoned Maduro supporters continue to hold influential positions in Venezuela’s government.
The debate over a plan that would classify economic sanctions as a crime against humanity and permit the imprisonment of anyone who shows support for the measures began Tuesday among Venezuelan MPs.