Maduro’s Election Fraud Triggers US Sanctions on 16 Venezuelan Officials in the Supreme Court and Military

The United States has announced that it is imposing sanctions on 16 allies of Venezuela’sPresident Nicolas Maduro. These sanctions come in response to voter fraud in Venezuela’s.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro displays the signatures on a document recognizing the results of the presidential election. Caracas, August 9, 2024. FEDERICO PARRA / AFP

Presidential election held on July 28 and on Maduro’s relentless crackdown on members of the political opposition. According to a statement from the US Treasury, the sanctions are targeting "key officials involved in Maduro’s fraudulent and illegitimate claims of victory and his brutal crackdown on free expression following the election”.

 Among those targeted for sanctions are Supreme Court President Caryslia Rodriguez, electoral council director Rosalba Gil and National Assembly Vice President Pedro Infante.  The list also includes others linked to the election as well as military and intelligence officials "responsible for intensifying repression through intimidation, indiscriminate detentions, and censorship”.

President Nicolás Maduro‘s sad

All officials listed are barred from entering the United States and any property they hold has been blocked. The long awaited move from the US came just days after Opposition Presidential Candidate Edmundo Gonzalez sought asylum in Spain after Maduro’s government issued a warrant for his arrest. Mr. Gonzalez has been recognised by most world leaders and Venezuelans as the winner of the July elections. He is being accused by Maduro’s government of "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage.

 Meanwhile, the judge who issued González's arrest warrant is also among the 16 on the sanctions list.