New US Sanctions Target 21 Officials of Maduro’s Regime for Election Fraud and Human Rights Violations

New U.S. Sanctions on Venezuelan Officials

The United States has announced new sanctions against 21 high-ranking officials in Nicolás Maduro‘s regime. This move stems from reports of violent repression, arbitrary detentions, and the denial of election results from the presidential election held on July 28 in Venezuela, where most voters favored opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia.

U.S. officials stated, “Maduro fraudulently declared himself the winner of the July 28 presidential elections, ignoring the will of the overwhelming majority of Venezuelan voters who chose González Urrutia as their next president.”

The U.S. Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aims to hold accountable those enabling and carrying out undemocratic acts and systematic human rights violations. The sanctions block any property or interest that the sanctioned individuals may have in the U.S., prohibit transactions with U.S. entities, and aim to increase pressure on Maduro’s government.

The international community has called the July 28 elections fraudulent. Independent observers and electoral records show that the legitimate results favor González Urrutia. Despite this, Maduro has rejected the popular will and escalated repressive tactics.

Since the election, security forces have carried out arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters and violently suppressed peaceful protests. The regime has even issued an arrest warrant against González Urrutia, forcing him into exile, while opposition leaders like María Corina Machado have faced politically motivated threats.

A senior U.S. official stated, “The Venezuelan people have shown unwavering commitment to democracy, facing unjust detentions, censorship, and violent repression. The U.S. will not tolerate Maduro’s ongoing subversion of democratic norms.”

These sanctions are part of broader measures under Executive Order 13692, targeting officials involved in actions that undermine democracy. To date, OFAC has sanctioned over 180 individuals and 100 Venezuelan entities, including military officials, cabinet members, and security forces representatives.

The Treasury Department emphasized that the sanctions target not only Maduro but also those using repressive tactics to sustain his regime. Among those sanctioned are figures close to Diosdado Cabello, a key operator in the regime, and individuals linked to repression in various government-controlled areas.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on officials involved in repression and electoral fraud, following similar measures introduced in September when an airplane used by Maduro’s regime was seized.

This announcement comes amid increasing international pressure on Maduro. More than 50 countries, including European Union members, have publicly recognized González Urrutia as the elected president. In September, the Organization of American States (OAS) passed a resolution condemning Maduro’s actions, while G7 foreign ministers expressed concern over human rights issues in Venezuela.

U.S. officials remarked, “Democratic governments in the region and across the globe unite to pressure Maduro for transparency and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

Countries like Colombia and Brazil have played crucial roles in leading efforts to pressure Maduro’s regime. These nations have repeatedly rejected electoral fraud and called for an end to repression, though Maduro has not recognized the true election results.

A high-level U.S. official stated that they may adjust sanctions policy to achieve foreign policy goals. Critics argue that stronger measures may be necessary for significant change.

Looking toward January 10, when González Urrutia plans to return to Venezuela to take office, U.S. officials noted that they have not received an official request for logistical support. Any such request will be evaluated carefully.

Officials clarified, “The U.S. will not engage in logistical operations without an official request from President-elect González Urrutia.”

Below is the list of Venezuelan officials sanctioned by the U.S. under Executive Order 13692, targeting those contributing to the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela:

1. Dilio Guillermo Rodríguez Díaz – Commander of REDI Capital. Former Commander of ZODI Capital 81.
2. José Yunior Herrera Duarte – Head of Zone Command No. 51 of GNB since 2022, overseeing security operations.
3. Carlos Eduardo Aigster Villamizar – Commander of ZODI Miranda since 2023.
4. Jesús Rafael Villamizar Gómez – Commander of REDI Central since 2024; suspected of illicit enrichment.
5. Ángel Daniel Balestrini Jaramillo – Former commander of ZODI Aragua.
6. Pablo Ernesto Lizano Colmenter – Former commander of ZODI Carabobo.
7. Luis Gerardo Reyes Rivero – Former commander of ZODI Yaracuy.
8. José Alfredo Rivera Bastardo – Director of Internal Order Division, GNB since 2024.
9. Alberto Alexander Matheus Meléndez – Director of GNB Logistics Division since 2024.

10. Jesús Ramón Fernández Alayón – Director of GNB Operational Preparation.

11. Rubén Darío Santiago Servigna – Brigadier General of BNP since 2023, involved in electoral security operations.
12. Alexis José Rodríguez Cabello – Director of SEBIN, relative of sanctioned Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.
13. Javier José Marcana Tabata – Head of DGCIM and Presidential Honor Guard.

14. Orlando Ramón Romero Bolívar – Commander of the Bolivarian Militia since 2024.
15. Aníbal Eduardo Coronado Millán – Minister in Maduro’s Office since April 2024; instrumental in government policies, including electoral fraud and repression.
16. William Alfredo Castillo Bolle – Deputy Minister of Anti-blockade Policies since 2022.
17. Ricardo José Menéndez Prieto – Vice President of Planning since 2014.
18. Freddy Alfred Nazaret Nanez Contreras – Minister of Communication and Vice President for Communication, Culture, and Tourism.
19. Daniella Desiree Cabello Contreras – President of the Export Promotion Agency since September 2024; daughter of Diosdado Cabello.
20. Julio José García Zerpa – Minister of Penitentiary Services since 2024, overseeing a criticized prison system.
21. América Valentina Pérez Dávila – Second Vice President of the National Assembly, supported Maduro’s election victory claim.