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1 1 (January 22, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govebvx0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions For over 15 years, the United States has imposed sanctions in response to activities of the Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. Theearliest sanctions imposed related to Venezuela's lack ofcooperation on antidrug and counterterrorismefforts. The Obama Administration imposed targeted sanctions against individuals for human rights abuses, corruption, and antidemocratic actions. The Trump Administration significantly expanded economic sanctions in response to the increasing authoritarianismof President Nicolas Maduro (in power since 2013). In January 2019, the United States recognized Juan Guaidd, president of the democratically elected, opposition-led National As sembly, as interimpresident. The Trump Administration then imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state oilcompany (Petrdleos de Venezuela, S.A., or PdVSA), centralbank, and government to pressure Maduro to leave power. As of January 22, 2021, the Treasury Department had imposed sanctions on roughly 166 Venezuelan or Venezuelan-connected individuals and the State Dep artmenthad revoked the vis as of more than 1,000 individuals and their families. Despite these and other measures, Maduro remains firmly in power, and his party now controls a de facto National As sembly seatedon January 5, 2021. Some analysts have urged the incoming Biden Administration to maintain all sanctions to pressure Madumo into negotiations with the opposition. Others have suggested the removal of broad sanctions that havehurt the Venezuelan people without hastening Maduro's departure; they urge a renewed focus on targeted sanctions implemented in coordination with U.S. allies. Terrorisr -Related Sanctions Since 2006, the Secretary of State has made an annual determination that Venezuela is not cooperating fully with United States anti-terrorismeffortspursuantto Section 40A of the Arms Export ControlAct (22 U.S.C. 2781). The most recent determination was made in May 2020. As a result, the United States has prohibited all U.S. commercial arms sales and retransfers to Venezuela since 2006. In 2008, Treasury imposed financial s anctions on two individuals and two travel agencies in Venezuela for financially supporting the radical Lebanon-based Islamic Shiite group Hezbollah. Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, those sanctions relate to terrorist funding. Drug TrafficIng-ReIated Sanctions Since 2005, pursuant to procedures in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY2003 (P.L. 107-228, §706; 22 U.S.C. 2291j), the President has made an annual determination that Venezuela has failed demonstrably to adhere to its obligations under international narcotics agreements. Updated January 22, 2021 President Trump made themost recent determination for FY2021 in September 2020 but waived foreign aid restrictions for programs that support the interim government. Treasury has imposed economic sanctions on at least 22 individuals with connections to Venezuela and 27 companies by designating themas Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (P.L. 106-120, Title VIII; 21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.). Designated individuals include cunent and former Venezuelan officials, such as Oil Minister and former Vice President Tareck el Ais s ami. Targeted Sanctions Related to Antidemocratic Actions, Human Rights Violations, and Corruption In response to increasing repressionin Venezuela, Congress enacted the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of2014(P.L. 113-278; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). Among its provisions, thelawrequired the Presidentto impose sanctions against those whomthe President identified as responsible for significant acts of violence, serious human rights abuses, or antidemocratic actions. Congres s extended this act through 2023 in P.L. 116-94. In March 2015, PresidentObamaissued E.O.13692 to implement P.L. 113-278, and Treasury issued regulations in July 2015 (31 C.F.R Part 591). The E.O. targets (for as s et blocking and vis ares trictions) those involved in actions or policies undermining democratic processes or institutions; serious human rights abuses; prohibiting, limiting, or penalizing freedomofexpres sion orpeaceful assembly; and public corruption. It includes any person who is a currentor former leader of any entity engaged in any of those activities, as well as current or former government officials. As of January 19, 2021, Treasury hadimposed financial sanctions on 113 Venezuelans and at least eight entities pursuant to E.O. 13692. The targeted individuals have included President Maduro; his wife, Cecilia Flores, and son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra; Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez; Diosdado Cabello (Socialist party president); eight supreme court judges; the leaders of Venezuela's army, national guard, and national police; governors; the director of the centralbank; and the foreign minister. In May 2019, Treasury lifted sanctions againstthe former head of Venezuela's intelligence service, General Manuel Cris topher Figuera, who broke ranks with Maduro. In December2020, Treasury imposedsanctionson two executives and a firm that administered legislative elections on December 6, 2020; the United States, the European Union, and most Latin American countries have rejected these elections as illegitimate. https ://c rs reps

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