The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against 21 Venezuelan officials aligned with Nicolas Maduro. These individuals are accused of supporting and executing Maduro's directives to suppress civil society following Venezuela's July 28 presidential election, where Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia was elected by a majority but not recognized by Maduro.

Venezuelan security forces have been reported to arrest opposition supporters arbitrarily, suppress protests violently, and deny peaceful assembly rights. An arrest warrant was issued for president-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, leading to his departure from the country.

"Maduro and his representatives’ repressive actions in the wake of the Venezuelan presidential election are a desperate attempt to silence the voices of its citizens," stated Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. He emphasized that "the United States will continue to shine a light on those who seek to use violence and intimidation to undermine democratic governance and the legitimate exercise of free speech."

Simultaneously, the Department of State is implementing new visa restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 9931 targeting individuals involved in undermining Venezuela's electoral process or engaging in acts of repression. Nearly 2,000 individuals have been identified as subject to these restrictions due to their roles in undermining democracy or violating human rights.

Among those sanctioned are senior officials from various branches such as the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), Bolivarian National Police (BNP), Bolivarian Militia, Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), and General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). These sanctions fall under Executive Order 13692 which blocks property and suspends entry into the U.S. for certain persons contributing to Venezuela's situation.

Officials like Dilio Guillermo Rodriguez Diaz, Jose Yunior Herrera Duarte, Carlos Eduardo Aigster Villamizar, Jesus Rafael Villamizar Gomez among others have been named for their roles within these organizations. They are accused of using force against protestors and failing to prevent non-state armed groups from attacking demonstrators.

Additionally, BNP officers including Ruben Dario Santiago Servigna; SEBIN director Alexis Jose Rodriguez Cabello; DGCIM head Javier Jose Marcana Tabata; along with other militia leaders have also been designated for their involvement in post-election violence.

Various ministry officials aligned with Maduro are implicated as well. Anibal Eduardo Coronado Millan, William Alfredo Castillo Bolle, Ricardo Jose Menendez Prieto among others have been identified for executing policies that support anti-democratic actions.

The sanctions result in blocking all property interests held by these individuals within U.S jurisdiction. Transactions involving these persons are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC through specific licenses or exemptions.

OFAC highlights that while sanctions aim at enforcing accountability they also provide pathways for removal if behaviors change positively per legal guidelines outlined by OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897 available online.

For more information on today's sanctioned individuals please refer here [link].