The United States have taken a major step in Venezuela’s political crisis by imposing sanctions against 16 high-ranking officials who are connected with President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
Caryslia Rodrguez, the President of Venezuela’s Constitutional Chamber at the Supreme Court of Venezuela is one of those who have been targeted.
These sanctions are part and parcel of US reaction to the controversial presidential election, many of which believe was marred with fraud and suppression.
Sanctions are being imposed on the Maduro regime, who is accused of undermining fair and free elections.
US recognized the opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the elections, which has escalated tensions with Venezuela.
Controversy surrounding Venezuela’s election
A controversy has surrounded the election that was held over a week ago.
Edmundo Gonzalez was the candidate of opposition who claimed to have won but had to flee Venezuela due to threats and repression.
International observers have condemned Maduro for refusing to accept his victory.
US Secretary of state Antony Blinken publicly declared his support for Gonzalez. He condemned Maduro’s “anti-democratic actions” and reaffirmed the US’s commitment to promote democratic values in Venezuela.
These sanctions are meant to reinforce this position, and to apply pressure to Maduro’s government in order to guarantee a fair election process.
Officials sanctioned for their involvement in suppression of elections
The US Department of the Treasury has stated that the US sanctions are aimed at senior officials of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council and Supreme Court.
The accused are charged with manipulating election results and the process.
Also sanctioned were military officers and agents of intelligence who committed acts of intimidation and arbitrary arrests as well as media censorship.
The US does not accept the erosion of democracy in Venezuela.
US allies and the US are deeply concerned about Maduro’s government’s worsening of human rights in Venezuela.
Reactions worldwide to the sanction
International community responded to the crisis in many ways.
The European Union, as well as several Latin American countries have expressed their support for US sanctions. However, other nations have criticised them because they are an invasion of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Gonzalez met recently with the Spanish Congress in order to consolidate international support for his win.
US allies and the US appear to have formed a united front against Venezuela’s authoritarian regime. Maduro and his allies are further isolated by additional visa restrictions.
Global pressure is increasing as Venezuela’s crisis deepens. Sanctions are now a key factor in the fight for the future of democracy in Venezuela.
This article US sanctions 16 Venezuelan Officials as controversial Election Sparks International Tensions first appeared on The ICD
