Washington, D.C. – The United States Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting individuals and entities connected to the Venezuelan government. The measures are aimed at increasing pressure on the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
According to an official statement released earlier today, three nephews of President Maduro have been added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). These individuals are accused of involvement in illicit activities that support the Maduro regime. The sanctions effectively freeze any assets they may hold in the United States and prohibit U.S. citizens and entities from conducting business with them.
In addition to the sanctions targeting individuals, the Treasury Department also announced the blacklisting of six oil tankers. These vessels are accused of transporting Venezuelan oil, thereby circumventing existing sanctions designed to restrict the country’s oil exports. The U.S. government maintains that these oil sales are a critical source of revenue for the Maduro regime, which it accuses of corruption and human rights abuses.
“The United States remains committed to holding the Maduro regime accountable for its actions,” stated a senior Treasury official. “We will continue to use all available tools to disrupt the flow of resources that enable the regime to maintain its grip on power.”
The move is the latest in a series of escalating sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on Venezuela in recent years. The Trump administration previously implemented sanctions targeting Venezuelan officials, the state-owned oil company PDVSA, and various sectors of the Venezuelan economy. The Biden administration has largely maintained these policies, while signaling a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions to the political crisis in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government has yet to release an official statement regarding the new sanctions. However, in the past, Caracas has denounced U.S. sanctions as illegal and a form of economic warfare.
The impact of these latest sanctions on Venezuela’s already struggling economy remains to be seen. Experts suggest that the measures could further exacerbate the country’s economic crisis and worsen the humanitarian situation for millions of Venezuelans.
