U.S. To Sanction Venezuelan Officials Amid Election Controversy

The U.S. has drafted a list of around 60 Venezuelan officials and their families for potential sanctions following a disputed election. The draft targets members of the National Electoral Council, Supreme Court, and counterintelligence police. Sanctions could include travel bans and business prohibitions for U.S. entities.

The United States has compiled a draft list of approximately 60 Venezuelan government officials and their families who could face sanctions following the contentious presidential election in July, sources close to the matter revealed.

This proposed list includes individuals from Venezuela's National Electoral Council, Supreme Court, and counterintelligence police, involved in the political turmoil. Recently submitted by the U.S. Treasury Department, the draft awaits the State Department's final endorsement. The list might still undergo changes before official sanctions are imposed.

The envisioned sanctions would entail travel bans for targeted individuals and prohibit U.S. entities from engaging in business with them. Despite proclaiming President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the July 28 election without releasing full vote tallies, the legitimacy of the results has been widely contested.

(With inputs from agencies.)