The United States is taking action today to promote accountability for Nicolás Maduro and his representatives for obstructing a competitive and inclusive presidential election in Venezuela and abusing the human rights of the Venezuelan people. Rather than respecting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely claimed victory while repressing and intimidating the democratic opposition in an illegitimate attempt to cling to power by force.

The Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 16 Maduro-affiliated individuals, including leaders of the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and the Maduro-affiliated national assembly. These officials impeded a transparent electoral process and the release of accurate election results. Concurrently, the Department of State is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 9931 on Maduro-aligned officials who have undermined the electoral process in Venezuela and are responsible for acts of repression.

Including today's actions, Treasury has sanctioned over 140 current or former Venezuelan officials for contributing to the situation in the country. Nearly 2,000 individuals have been identified to date by the State Department as potentially subject to visa restrictions under various authorities for their role in undermining democracy, engaging in significant corruption, or violating the human rights of the Venezuelan people.

The United States will continue to promote accountability for those undermining democracy in Venezuela.

The visa restriction actions were taken pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 9931. Treasury's sanctions actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13692. Executive Order 13857expanded Executive Order 13692's definition of "Government of Venezuela" to include individuals who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela as "Maduro-aligned officials." For more information, see Treasury's press release.