Maduro’s inner circle hit with US sanctions: List revealed
Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (Getty Images)
The US has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s family and close associates, including his wife, reports the US Treasury Department.
Seven individuals were targeted, including relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, the nephew of Maduro’s wife. According to US authorities, Flores was involved in a corruption scheme at the state oil company.
The sanctions also apply to Flores’ mother (Maduro’s wife’s sister), father, sister, wife, and daughter.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the individuals targeted by sanctions support Maduro’s criminal narco-state.
“We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs. Maduro and his criminal accomplices threaten our hemisphere’s peace and stability,” he added.
Tensions escalate between the US and Venezuela
On December 19, US President Donald Trump did not rule out the possibility of a future military campaign against Venezuela. He also announced intensified measures targeting oil tankers near Venezuelan waters, including potential blockades.
On December 16, Trump stated that he had ordered a full blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers heading to or departing from Venezuela. He said the blockade would remain in place until Venezuela returns to the US all the oil, land, and other assets they previously stole from us.
Trump also declared that the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is considered a foreign terrorist organization. The US president has repeatedly accused Venezuela and Maduro specifically of facilitating drug trafficking.
Trump has frequently stated that the US could strike targets on the ground and that Maduro should be removed from power.
In response, the Maduro government described US actions as an attempt to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.
