The United States has imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials aligned with President Nicolás Maduro, citing electoral fraud and human rights abuses in the wake of a disputed presidential election.
At a Glance
- US sanctions target 16 Venezuelan officials involved in Maduro’s “fraudulent and illegitimate” election victory
- Venezuela’s National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner without releasing detailed voting tallies
- Opposition data suggests their candidate, Edmundo González, won by a wide margin
- Over 2,400 people have been arrested in a post-election crackdown
- Sanctioned individuals are barred from entering the US and have their US properties blocked
US Takes Action Against Maduro Regime
The Biden administration has announced sanctions on 16 Venezuelan government officials appointed by President Nicolás Maduro. This move comes in response to the controversial presidential election held on July 28, which has been widely criticized as fraudulent. The sanctions target key figures involved in Maduro’s claimed victory and subsequent crackdown on free expression.
Among those sanctioned are Rosalba Gil of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) and five judges from the country’s Supreme Court. The US Treasury Department stated that these individuals were responsible for “intensifying repression through intimidation, indiscriminate detentions, and censorship.” Members of Venezuela’s security forces have also been sanctioned for their role in the post-election crackdown.
US sanctions Maduro allies linked to Venezuela's disputed election https://t.co/uCS9BZDiXu
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 12, 2024
Disputed Election Results
The CNE, which is aligned with Maduro’s government, declared him the winner of the July presidential election. However, the council has not released detailed voting tallies, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the results. Opposition data suggests that their candidate, Edmundo González, actually won by a significant margin.
“On Election Day Mr. Maduro claimed victory without releasing a breakdown of results. He has yet to do so.” – Source
The United States does not recognize Maduro’s victory and believes González received more votes. This stance is supported by international observers, including experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, who found that the election results lacked credibility.
The US announced sanctions on 16 officials tied to Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro over claims that they obstructed “free and fair” elections in the country https://t.co/meYWn9n6Sz
— Bloomberg (@business) September 12, 2024
Crackdown on Opposition
In the aftermath of the disputed election, Maduro’s government has launched a severe crackdown on dissent. Over 2,400 people have been arrested, including opposition supporters and activists. González, the opposition candidate, was forced to flee to Spain after being accused of serious crimes. The judge who issued González’s arrest warrant is among those sanctioned by the US.
“My commitment to the mandate I have received from the sovereign people of Venezuela is unwavering,” – Source
Despite being in exile, González remains determined to fight for the will of the Venezuelan people. He has requested asylum in Spain and met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was barred from running and replaced by González, remains in hiding in Venezuela. She plans to lead the effort to have González sworn in as president in January 2025.
US Pressure on Maduro Regime
The sanctions are part of a broader US strategy to pressure Maduro’s government towards democratic reforms. Sanctioned individuals are barred from entering the United States and have their US properties blocked. These officials join hundreds of Venezuelan officials previously sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, including Maduro himself.
“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 by force,” – Source
The US has also taken other measures against the Maduro regime, including offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest on “narco-terrorism” charges. Additionally, US authorities recently seized Maduro’s personal plane from the Dominican Republic, an action that Venezuela condemned as “piracy.” These actions underscore the ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela’s current leadership.
