Obama levies sanctions on 7 Venezuelan officials

The Washington Post

President Barack Obama slapped sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials Monday, accusing them of perpetrating human rights violations and public corruption in the socialist-governed South American nation.

The individuals all come from the top echelon of the state security apparatus that was responsible for cracking down on anti-government protests that rocked Venezuela last year and for pursuing charges against leading opponents.

“Corrupt actions by Venezuelan government officials deprive Venezuela of needed economic resources that could be invested in the Venezuelan people and used to spur economic growth,” Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a statement. “These actions also undermine the public trust in democratic institutions and the human rights to which Venezuelan citizens are entitled.”

The sanctions come after the U.S. Congress passed legislation late last year authorizing penalties that would freeze the assets and ban visas for anyone accused of carrying out acts of violence or violating the human rights of those opposing Venezuela’s government.

 

Diosdado Cabello, the powerful head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, blasted the sanctions as further evidence of U.S. attempts to sow unrest in the oil-rich nation. He said President Nicolas Maduro would personally denounce the U.S. actions when he, Obama and regional leaders travel to Panama next month to attend the Summit of the Americas.

 

“Mr. Obama, you and your imperialists are going to have to sanction lots of Venezuelans who are willing to give their life to defend the Bolivarian revolution and the project started by Comandante Hugo Chavez,” Cabello told a rally of government supporters.

 

Maximilien Sanchez Arvelaiz, the top Venezuelan diplomat in Washington, was called to Caracas for immediate consultations Monday. The two nations haven’t exchanged ambassadors since 2010.