US Sanctions 16 Allies of Maduro Over Disputed Venezuelan Election

The US government has imposed sanctions on 16 allies of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following the disputed July presidential election. The sanctions target high-ranking officials accused of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses. This move comes amid global condemnation of the election's lack of transparency.

In response to Venezuela's disputed July presidential election, the US government sanctioned 16 allies of President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday. The Treasury Department accused these individuals of obstructing the vote and committing human rights abuses.

The sanctions came shortly after Edmundo González Urrutia, a former diplomat from the main opposition parties who claimed victory in the election, went into exile. Despite declaring Maduro the winner, Venezuelan electoral authorities did not release detailed vote tallies, drawing global criticism.

United Nations experts and the Carter Center, invited by Maduro's government to observe the election, found the announced results lacking credibility. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Maduro for repressing the democratic opposition and falsely claiming victory.

The State Department announced new visa restrictions targeting Maduro's allies for impeding the vote and repressing Venezuelans. The Treasury has previously penalized over 140 Venezuelan officials, with nearly 2,000 individuals identified for potential visa restrictions over corruption and human rights violations.

(With inputs from agencies.)