Washington – The US Treasury placed four serving or retired Venezuelangenerals on its sanctions blacklist, raising pressure on the embattledgovernment of President Nicolas Maduro.
The Treasury alleged that the four were either involved in repressingprotesters or tied up in major corruption schemes.
Washington has already targeted Maduro himself for sanctions, and is along-standing opponent of what it sees as his increasingly authoritarianregime.
The sanctions designations “highlight that corruption and repressioncontinue to flourish under the Maduro regime, both by those in currentgovernment positions and former officials who continue to benefit from acorrupt system,” the Treasury said.
“President Maduro and his inner circle continue to put their own interestsabove those of the Venezuelan people,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchinsaid in a statement.
“This action underscores the United States’ resolve to hold Maduro andothers engaged in corruption in Venezuela accountable,” he added.
“We call on concerned parties and international partners around the worldto join us as we stand with the Venezuelan people to further isolate thisoppressive regime.”
Under the US Treasury order, Aragua state governor, retired general andstate oil firm board member Rodolfo Clemente Marco Torres is designated forhis alleged role in food smuggling.
Francisco Jose Rangel Gomez, another retired general and a former governorof Bolivar state, is accused of pressuring Venezuelan courts to releasesuspected members of armed pro-government gangs.
General Fabio Enrique Zavarse Pabon, commander of the defense zone thatincludes Caracas, is accused of using National Guard troops to violentlyrepress demonstrations.
And Major General Jose Izquierdo Torres is accused of using his rank andposition to corruptly enrich himself.
The Treasury blacklists freezes any assets the four might have in USjurisdictions, and bans Americans and US businesses from doing businesswith them.
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the sanctions wouldonly be removed if one day the officials change their behavior and respectthe rule of law.
“Members of the Venezuelan armed forces who put their own interests abovethose of their fellow citizens cannot expect immunity from our sanctionsand international accountability,” she added.