The U.S. government has toughened its stance on Venezuela’s contentious July presidential election by imposing sanctions on 16 close allies of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
The Treasury Department said the reason behind the sanctions was because it believed the individuals had obstructed the vote and committed human rights abuses.
Those targeted were high-ranking officials, including the head of the country’s high court, as well as top security force leaders and prosecutors.
The move follows the recent exile of Edmundo González Urrutia, a former diplomat representing the main opposition parties, who has said he won the July 28 election.
With both parties claiming victory, the election led to to widespread unrest and crackdowns on dissent.
More than 2,000 arrests were made during the ensuing protests. Those arrested included journalists, politicians and aid workers.
Venezuela’s electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner but failed to release detailed voting results, sparking global condemnation and allegations of a lack of transparency.
In response to the international outcry, Maduro requested an audit from Venezuela’s high court, known for its ruling party loyalists, which subsequently reaffirmed his victory.
Experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, both invited by Maduro’s government to observe the election, came to the conclusion that the announced results lacked credibility.
In a statement announcing the sanctions on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “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.”
“Today, the United States is taking decisive action against Maduro and his representatives for their repression of the Venezuelan people and denial of their citizens’ rights to a free and fair election,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo added in the statement.
The State Department also announced new visa restrictions targeting Maduro’s allies accused of interfering with the vote and repressing Venezuelans, although it did not disclose specific names.
This latest action adds to the more than 140 current or former Venezuelan officials already penalized by the Treasury.
The State Department has identified nearly 2,000 individuals who could face visa restrictions over allegations of corruption, undermining democracy, or violating human rights in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Maduro announced earlier this month that Christmas season in Venezuela would start from October 1. Many reacted to the announcement by saying they believed it was made to distract Venezuelans from the country’s ongoing political and economic woes.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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