The US Treasury placed four serving or retired Venezuelan generals on its sanctions blacklist, raising pressure on the embattled government of President Nicolas Maduro. The Treasury alleged that the four were either involved in repressing protesters or tied up in major corruption schemes.
Washington has already targeted Maduro himself for sanctions, and is a long-standing opponent of what it sees as his increasingly authoritarian regime. The sanctions designations "highlight that corruption and repression continue to flourish under the Maduro regime, both by those in current government positions and former officials who continue to benefit from a corrupt system," the Treasury said.
"President Maduro and his inner circle continue to put their own interests above those of the Venezuelan people," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "This action underscores the United States' resolve to hold Maduro and others engaged in corruption in Venezuela accountable," he added.
"We call on concerned parties and international partners around the world to join us as we stand with the Venezuelan people to further isolate this oppressive regime." Under the US Treasury order, Aragua state governor, retired general and state oil firm board member Rodolfo Clemente Marco Torres is designated for his alleged role in food smuggling. Francisco Jose Rangel Gomez, another retired general and a former governor of Bolivar state, is accused of pressuring Venezuelan courts to release suspected members of armed pro-government gangs.
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