The US and the EU have extended the sanctions against Venezuela, increasing the pressure on Nicholas Maduro President. New restrictions are against key Venezuelan officials who hold leading positions in economic and security agencies suspected of promoting repression and undermining democratic processes in the country.
According to the US Department of Finance, the sanctions list included eight people, including President of the Petroleos de Venezuela and Minister of Transport. The US State Department has also raised a reward for information that can lead to the arrest of Nicholas Maduro, up to $ 25 million, as well as for data on the Minister of Internal Affairs Diosdado Cabbleio.
The European Union, in turn, continued restrictive measures against Venezuela for another year - until January 10, 2026. The EU has expanded the sanction list to 15 people, including members of the National Electoral Council, judicial bodies and security forces. Restrictions on trips for four persons who were temporarily canceled in May 2024 were also returned.
The decision to strengthen the sanctions coincided with the inauguration of Maduro, who on January 10, for the third time, took the presidential oath. His reign will last until 2031. The inauguration was accompanied by protests because of non -recognition of the results of the presidential elections by the opposition and the international community, in particular the European Union. Opposition forces say that the real election winner is Edmundo Gonzalez Urutia, Maduro's main rival.
