- The United States has imposed sanctions on 21 more allies of President Nicolás Maduro for repressing Venezuelans after Venezuela's disputed presidential election.
- President Maduro declared victory in the election, but he and the government refused to show vote tallies to support his claims.
- The Biden administration last week recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González as Venezuela's “president-elect.”
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 21 more allies of President Nicolás Maduro for their part in a crackdown by Venezuelan government officials on July's disputed presidential election.
Security officials and cabinet-level officials authorized by the Treasury Department include the head of the correctional agency, the head of intelligence services, and ministers in Maduro's presidential office. They join a list of dozens of sanctioned Venezuelans, including the country's high court president, ministers and prosecutors.
Biden calls for crackdown on oil companies doing business with Venezuela after Maduro refuses to hand over power
The Biden administration last week recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González as the country's “president-elect.” The United States also on Wednesday imposed visa restrictions on additional individuals it accused of repressing Venezuelans after the July 28 election.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro speaks at a press conference after testifying in the election room of the Supreme Court headquarters at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, August 2, 2024. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Mr. Maduro declared victory in the election, but he and his government refused to show vote tallies to support that claim.
González left Venezuela and went into exile in Spain in September after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with an investigation into the publication of the vote tally. The former diplomat, who headed the main opposition party, claimed he won the presidential election by a wide margin.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In September, the US government imposed sanctions on 16 allies of President Maduro for interfering with voting and committing human rights abuses.
The impact of the individual sanctions and visa restrictions announced Wednesday is unclear. Previously punished Maduro supporters still hold power in Venezuela's government.
Venezuelan lawmakers on Tuesday continued to debate a bill that would recognize economic sanctions as a crime against humanity and allow the prosecution of those who express support for them.
