US imposes sanctions on judges and allies of Maduro and calls election in Venezuela 'Electoral Fraud'
Among those sanctioned by the Treasury Department are members of the Supreme Court and the election board, accused of blocking a "transparent election process."
Judge Caryslia Rodríguez (center), president of the Supreme Court of Venezuela, was one of those sanctioned. - Photo Reproduction / Leonardo Fernandez Viloria / Reuters
The United States increased pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro by imposing assessments, this Thursday (12), on 16 members of the Venezuelan government and the Judiciary close to the leader, in response to what Washington classified as “electoral fraud” in the recent elections in the country. These analyzes were the first since the June elections. Among those sanctioned is Caryslia Rodríguez, president of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela, who announced the Court's decision to recognize Maduro's victory, declaring the non-existence of electoral fraud and determining that electoral records and ballots will not be released. In a statement, Venezuela declared that it “strongly repudiates the sanctions”.
Sanctions targeting judges and regime allies
In addition to Rodríguez, judges Inocencio Figueroa, Malaquias Gil, Juan Carlos Hidalgo, Fanny Beatriz Marquez and Edward Miguel Briceno were also sanctioned, in addition to the prosecutors that Washington accuses of involvement in the “illegitimate and fraudulent” results of the elections. According to Wally Adeyemo, Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, the United States is taking strict measures against Maduro and his representatives due to the repression of the Venezuelan people and the denial of citizens' rights to a free and fair election.
The United States Treasury Department is turning its attention to authorities primarily involved in allegations of voter fraud and the severe crackdown on free speech after the elections, as a vast majority of Venezuelans call for change. The Biden-Harris administration will continue to use its tools to hold Nicolás Maduro and his allies accountable, while also supporting the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people.
The American agency reported that sanctioned individuals will face restrictions in obtaining a visa and entering the country. Since 2017, more than 2,000 Venezuelans, including Maduro and Elvis Amoroso, president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), have been subject to US assessment.
US reaction to the elections in Venezuela
In July, after the elections, the country's Electoral Court declared Maduro victorious, but did not make public the electoral records, which record the votes and results at each polling place. The opposition claims to have won based on an investigation of the minutes that the group claims to have had access to through representatives sent to the polling stations on the day of the election. In August, the Organization of American States (OAS) did not recognize the results of the elections and released an observer report pointing out accusations of manipulation by the Maduro government.
On the same occasion, a group made up of the United States, the European Union and 21 other countries released a joint statement asking the National Electoral Council of Venezuela to publish the electoral records. The new assessments were imposed just days after González was asked to leave Venezuela under threat of arrest by the regime. In a statement made on Thursday, González stated that his commitment to the mandate received from the sovereign people of Venezuela is irrevocable and that the fight will continue until the end.
Venezuelan response
In response, the Government of Venezuela issued a statement in which it rejected "in the strongest terms" the assessments announced by the US. The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the country strongly condemns the new act of aggression perpetrated by the United States government against Venezuela. The statement describes the action as a gross act aimed at aligning itself with a political class that has used fascist and violent practices in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Bolivarian democracy.
