The United States has on Friday imposed sanctions on Venezuela, ratcheting up pressure on embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, and froze assets of Venezuelan Judge Carol Padilla and foreign minister Jorge Arreaza, known for backing Maduro and playing a crucial role in Maduro’s government.
According to ANI news reports, the US department of state released an official statement, saying it had imposing sanctions over “two official aligned with the former Maduro regime pursuant to Executive Order 13962, which allows for the designation of any person determined to be a current or former official of the Government of Venezuela”.
Arreaza was leading the Maduro regime’s attempt in the international community to prevent the democratic desire of people of Venezuela. Padilla’s designation was a reminder that any action against opposition Venezuelan leader Juan Guaido, who self-proclaimed himself as the interim president of the nation, and ongoing detention of Robert Marrero will have consequences. The statement read, “We demand his immediate release.”
The statement added the US will continue to back interim President Guaido, the National Assembly, and the people of Venezuela.
The development took place shortly after the announcement on Friday by the Venezuelan national assembly that Gilbert Caro, the opposition politician, was detained by Maduro government over his alleged involvement in the anti-Maduro protest.
Al-Jazeera news agency reported the judge and foreign minister made to the latest names of officials list blacklisted by Washington and prohibiting American firms and individuals financially dealing with them.