The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday imposed new sanctions against relatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, increasing pressure on his regime, which Washington accuses of involvement in drug trafficking, LETA reported citing DPA.
"Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates are flooding the U.S. with drugs that poison the American people," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
"Maduro and his inner circle have destroyed the economy of Venezuela and continue to threaten the stability of our region," noted State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott. "The Trump administration is determined to dismantle the network of individuals supporting Maduro and his regime."
Among those targeted by the new sanctions are the sister of Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, Eloisa Flores de Malpica, as well as her daughter and husband.
The sanctions also affected two relatives of a Panamanian businessman who had previously been under sanctions.
All assets of the sanctioned individuals in the U.S. will be frozen.
As part of its campaign against Venezuela, U.S. armed forces have attacked drug traffickers' ships in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as well as seized an oil tanker near Venezuela.
Washington has also deployed troops and the world's largest aircraft carrier to the region, while Trump has suggested the possibility of a ground operation in Venezuela.
Maduro claims that through this campaign, Trump is attempting to achieve regime change in Venezuela to gain control over the country's vast oil reserves.
