The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 21 senior Venezuelan security and cabinet officials in a crackdown on the opposition after President Nicolas Maduro ran for re-election in July.
“The repressive actions of Maduro and his representatives following Venezuela’s presidential election are a desperate attempt to silence the voices of its citizens,” Treasury Acting Under Secretary Bradley Smith said in a statement, according to news agency AFP.
“(This is) not just about holding Nicolas Maduro accountable,” an administration official told reporters.
They further said: “Officials acting illegally to maintain their rule based on repressive tactics will also find themselves in the cross hairs of these sanctions.”
The United States expressed “grave concern” over its accuracy Venezuela election results which declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner of a third term.
“We have serious concerns that the announced result does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken said during a visit to Japan.
Blinken said, “It is important that every vote is counted in a fair and transparent manner, that election officials share information promptly without delay with the opposition and independent observers, and that election authorities report votes.” publish a detailed tabulation.”
The controversy surrounding the election results added to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, where Maduro’s leadership has been heavily criticized domestically and internationally.
As Maduro claimed victory, the opposition and many international observers called for a thorough review of the electoral process to ensure the true will of the Venezuelan people was respected.
