- The United States has imposed sanctions on 21 more allies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for pressuring Venezuelans after the country’s disputed presidential election.
- Maduro declared victory in the election, but he and his government have refused to show the number of votes backing their claim.
- The Biden administration last week recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela’s “president-elect.”
The United States imposed sanctions on 21 more allies of President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, accusing them of carrying out some of the repression that Venezuelan authorities retaliated with in July. Controversial presidential election.
Security and cabinet-level officials approved by the Treasury Department include the head of the country’s corrections agency, an intelligence service director and a minister in President Maduro’s office. He joined a list of dozens of sanctioned Venezuelans, including the head of the country’s high court, ministers and prosecutors.
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The Biden administration last week recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the country’s “president-elect.” The US on Wednesday also imposed visa restrictions on additional people it has charged. Suppression of Venezuela After the July 28 election.
While Maduro declared victory in the election.He and his government have refused to show the number of votes to support their claim.
González left Venezuela in exile in Spain in September after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publication of vote tallies. The former diplomat, who represented the main opposition parties, claimed to have won the presidential election by a wide margin.
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In September, the US government imposed sanctions on 16 of Maduro’s allies, accusing them of obstructing the vote and human rights abuses.
The impact of the individual bans and visa restrictions announced on Wednesday is unclear. Loyalists of the previously convicted Maduro still hold power in Venezuela’s government.
Venezuelan lawmakers continued to debate a bill on Tuesday that would list economic sanctions as a crime against humanity and allow prosecution of those who express support for the measures. .