Venezuela condemns US sanctions on electoral, government officials
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According to the Foreign Ministry, the latest sanctions represent a breach of the agreements reached between Washington and Caracas in Qatar, as the measures aim to destabilize the country.
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Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto gives a press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 (AP)
The Venezuelan government has strongly condemned the latest sanctions imposed by the United States against key officials, including members of the National Electoral Council, supreme court judges, and lawmakers.
On Thursday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned the US for its "coercive measures" targeting 16 Venezuelan officials, accusing Washington of violating international law and the sovereignty of Venezuela.
The US Department of the Treasury's sanctions come in response to allegations of electoral fraud tied to President Nicolas Maduro's government.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, took to Telegram to express the country's firm rejection of the US administration's "aggressive crime".
El canciller de Venezuela, Yvan Gil, a través de su canal de Telegram, emitió un comunicado en el que rechaza enérgicamente las nuevas sanciones ilegales de Estados Unidos (EEUU) contra un grupo de funcionarios del Estado venezolano. https://t.co/8D67ZFKDIc pic.twitter.com/EOr3UufrqM
— Arnaldo Romero R. (@aarrvenezuela) September 12, 2024
The statement stressed that these actions show a "total disregard" for Venezuelans' right to self-determination and for democracy itself.
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Venezuela also accused the US of attempting to curry favor with political forces that have unsuccessfully sought to dismantle the country's Bolivarian democracy through "fascist and violent" means.
The government views these sanctions are part of a broader agenda of regime change, a strategy reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine, which was historically used by the US to justify intervention in Latin American countries.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry's statement went further, condemning the US as "the most hostile and bloody power" responsible for global destruction alongside its allies.
It also noted that the latest sanctions breach agreements reached between Washington and Caracas in Qatar, as the measures aim to destabilize the country.
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Following the presidential election in late July 2024, which the National Electoral Council declared Maduro won, the US and opposition forces have been intensifying their efforts to sabotage his victory.
They have propagated allegations of electoral fraud and asserted that their preferred candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, was the rightful winner.
Maduro has accused the opposition of triggering political instability and vowed to crack down on individuals complicit with US sabotage operations.
