U.S. Adds Venezuela Sanctions as Protests Against Maduro Erupt

Head of electoral agency among those added to list of officials allegedly involved in corruption and undermining democracy; Maduro unmoved.

The U.S. government leveled sanctions on 13 high-ranking Venezuelan officials for alleged corruption, human-rights violations and undermining the country’s democracy, days before a scheduled vote for a constitutional assembly that many believe would deal a death blow to Venezuela’s democracy.

The officials targeted by the U.S. Treasury on Wednesday include Tibisay Lucena, the head of the country’s electoral agency, as well as the chiefs of the Venezuelan Army, National Guard and National Police.

The U.S. also blacklisted the finance chief of state oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela; Elías Jaua, a leading politician close to President Nicolás Maduro ; and Erick Malpica Flores, a nephew of Venezuela’s powerful first lady, Cilia Flores.

Under the sanctions, the officials’ U.S. assets are frozen and their U.S. visas revoked. The measures also prohibit U.S. citizens and institutions from doing business with them.

The U.S. government warned that any individuals who become members of the constituent assembly to be elected on Sunday risked being added to the U.S. sanctions list.

“The United States will not ignore the Maduro regime’s ongoing efforts to undermine democracy, freedom, and the rule of law,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

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