The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials. These individuals are involved in key economic and security agencies that support Nicolas Maduro's regime, which is accused of suppressing democracy in Venezuela. The sanctioned officials include Hector Andres Obregon Perez, president of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), and Ramon Celestino Velasquez Araguayan, Minister of Transportation and president of the state-owned airline CONVIASA.

The sanctions align with actions taken by Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, aiming to pressure Maduro and his associates. Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury Department, stated: “Since last year’s election, Maduro and his associates have continued their repressive actions in Venezuela.”

Following the presidential elections on July 28, 2024, efforts to encourage a democratic transition in Venezuela have intensified but faced resistance from Maduro's administration. Concurrently with these sanctions, the U.S. Department of State has increased reward offers for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro and two high-ranking officials: Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino.

Among those sanctioned are Felix Ramon Osorio Guzman from the Interior Ministry and several police and military officials including Danny Ramon Ferrer Sandrea and Douglas Arnoldo Rico Gonzalez. These individuals are linked to entities responsible for human rights abuses.

As a consequence of these measures, assets within U.S. jurisdiction belonging to these individuals are blocked. Transactions involving them are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC. Institutions engaging with sanctioned entities may face penalties.

OFAC emphasizes that its sanctions aim not at punishment but at encouraging behavioral change among those designated.