The United States stands with the Venezuelan people who, under the Maduro regime, have suffered immensely and had their right to democracy, as reflected in the Inter-American Democratic Charter, taken from them.
The Government of Venezuela is responsible for the widespread instability and suffering in Venezuela. Instead of serving the people and using its resources to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous Venezuela, the regime has:
- Installed an illegitimate Constituent Assembly
- Debased the currency for political gain
- Issued a digital currency in a process that Venezuela’s democratically elected National Assembly has denounced as unlawful
- Degraded Venezuela’s infrastructure and natural environment through economic mismanagement
- Manipulated the Venezuelan people through a corrupt food distribution program
- Sold Venezuela’s future resources to line the pockets of corrupt officials
These actions have created damaging ripple effects throughout the country and the region, leading to a massive humanitarian disaster and the exodus of three million Venezuelans, the largest mass migration in the Hemisphere.
DEFENDING THE RULE OF LAW, LIBERTY AND BASIC HUMAN DECENY IN OUR REGION:
The United States’ enduring goal is a peaceful return to democracy and prosperity in Venezuela. We will continue to use the full weight of American economic and diplomatic power to safeguard the United States from this malign behavior and help to restore democracy for the Venezuelan people.
STRONG AND SWIFT ECONOMIC PRESSURE TO SUPPORT A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE: The Maduro regime has neglected the basic needs of the Venezuelan people. The United States will not stand idly by as Venezuela crumbles. We call for the Maduro regime to restore democracy, hold free and fair elections, release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and end the repression and economic deprivation of the Venezuelan people.
The United States has taken concrete and forceful action against those who are involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela as well as those who are enriching themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people. Since taking office, President Trump has signed four Executive Orders targeting corruption and the looting of the Venezuelan economy. The administration has sanctioned over 60 Venezuelan individuals and entities, including Nicolas Maduro and his wife, along with senior members of his regime. The administration has also levied a Kingpin drug-trafficking designation on then-Vice President Tareck El Aissami. We call on our partners in the Americas and around the world to cut off Venezuelan leaders from their financial systems.
- The United States is using sanctions to pressure the Maduro regime to turn away from authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement.
- Our sanctions are designed to protect the U.S. financial system from complicity in the corruption of the Maduro regime.
- The United States maintains a broad general license that authorizes all financing and other dealings in new debt related to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, or replacement parts and components for medical devices, to Venezuela, or to persons in third countries purchasing specifically for resale to Venezuela, provided that the exportation or reexportation is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce.
- US sanctions offer options for the Government of Venezuela. Sanctions can be adjusted for those who support Venezuela’s return to a democratic constitutional path.
For additional information on Venezuela sanctions, please visit the following: