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1 1 (November 30, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govejoi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Servkt Inlorming Ih legisIlive debate sinc'e 1914 Venezuela: Overview of U.S. San For over 15 years, the United States has imposed sanctions in response to activities of the Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. The earliest sanctions imposed related to Venezuela's lack of cooperation on antidrug and counterterrorism efforts. The Obama Administration imposed targeted sanctions against individuals for human rights abuses, corruption, and antidemocratic actions. The Trump Administration expanded economic sanctions in response to the increasing authoritarianism of President Nicolis Maduro (in power since 2013) and in an effort to back the interim government led by then-National Assembly President Juan Guaidd. Despite U.S. and international sanctions, Maduro consolidated power. While the Biden Administration has maintained sanctions on the Maduro government and its enablers, in November 2022, the Treasury Department issued a license to allow Chevron to resume some operations in the country for six months after Maduro returned to negotiations with the opposition (including Guaid6's supporters). According to a joint statement, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union seek to leverage sanctions relief to incentivize Maduro to negotiate a path toward free and fair elections in 2024. Fluctuations in oil prices also have put pressure on U.S. and European officials to find alternate sources to replace Russian-supplied oil. Venezuela's neighboring countries, including Colombia and Peru, have restored relations with the Maduro government. They also support a negotiated solution to the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which has prompted more than 7 million to flee the country since 2014. Terrorism-Re'ated Sanctions Since 2006, the Secretary of State has made an annual determination that Venezuela is not cooperating fully with United States anti-terrorism efforts pursuant to Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2781). The most recent determination was made in May 2022. 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 sanctions 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 Trafficking-Related Sanctions Since 2005, pursuant to procedures in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY2003 (P.L. 107-228, §706; 22 U.S.C. 229lj), the President has made an annual determination that Venezuela has failed demonstrably to adhere to its obligations under international narcotics agreements. President Biden made the determination for FY2022 in Updated November 30, 2022 September 2021 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 them as 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 current and former Venezuelan officials, such as Oil Minister Tareck al Aissami. Should Al Aissami remain in that position, it could complicate efforts to lift oil sanctions. Targeted Sanctions Related to Antidemocratic Actions, Human Rights Violations, and Corruption In response to increasing repression in Venezuela, Congress enacted the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-278; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). Among its provisions, the law required the President to impose sanctions against those whom the President identified as responsible for significant acts of violence, serious human rights abuses, or antidemocratic actions. Congress extended this act through 2023 in P.L. 116-94. In March 2015, President Obama issued 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 asset blocking and visa restrictions) those involved in actions or policies undermining democratic processes or institutions; serious human rights abuses; prohibiting, limiting, or penalizing freedom of expression or peaceful assembly; and public corruption. It includes any person who is a current or former leader of any entity engaged in any of those activities, as well as current or former government officials. As of November 28, 2022, Treasury had imposed financial sanctions on 112 Venezuelans and at least eight entities pursuant to E.O. 13692. The targeted individuals have included President Maduro; his wife, Cilia Flores, and son, Nicolis 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 central bank; and the foreign minister. In May 2019, Treasury lifted sanctions against the former head of Venezuela's intelligence service, General Manuel Cristopher Figuera, who broke ranks with Maduro. In June 2022, Treasury lifted sanctions on Carlos Malpica Flores, a nephew of Cilia Flores, possibly to encourage Maduro to resume negations with the opposition. Addrtional Financial Sanctions President Trump imposed additional financial sanctions on Venezuela because of the government's human rights abuses and antidemocratic actions. In August 2017, he

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