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1 1 (August 8, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govemmg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Vn Con gression l Research Service nformfing Ih IegisIative debate sin co 1914 Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions For over 17 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 Nicolas Maduro (in power since 2013) and in an effort to back the interim government led by Juan Guaid6 (2019- 2022). Despite sanctions, Maduro consolidated power and the Unity Platform of opposition parties dissolved the interim government led by Guaid6 in late 2022. 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 U.S. oil company Chevron to resume some operations in Venezuela after Maduro returned to negotiations with the opposition. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) have tried to leverage sanctions relief to incentivize Maduro to negotiate a path toward free and fair elections in 2024. With negotiations stalled again, and leading opposition candidates barred from competing in 2024, some experts are calling for fewer licenses and possibly more sanctions. Terrorism-Related 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 2023. As a result, the United States has prohibited all U.S. commercial arms sales and retransfers to Venezuela since 2006. In 2008, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, Treasury designated two individuals and two travel agencies in Venezuela as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) subject to asset blocking sanctions for financially supporting Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. 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. 2291j), 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 FY2023 in September 2022 but waived foreign aid restrictions. Treasury has imposed sanctions on at least 22 individuals with connections to Venezuela and 27 companies by designating them as Specially Designated Narcotics Updated August 8, 2023 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. Targeted Sanctions Related to Antidemocratic Actions Human Rights Violatons, 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 August 7, 2023, Treasury had imposed SDN sanctions on more than 110 Venezuelans and at least eight entities pursuant to E.O. 13692. The targeted individuals include President Maduro; his wife, and son; Vice President Delcy Rodriguez; Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez; supreme court judges; and several governors. In May 2019, Treasury lifted sanctions on 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 negotiations with the opposition. Additional 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 issued E.O. 13808, which prohibited access to U.S. financial markets by the Venezuelan government, including state energy company Petr6leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), with certain exceptions to minimize the impact on the Venezuelan people and U.S. interests. In March 2018, President Trump issued E.O. 13827 to prohibit transactions involving the Venezuelan government's issuance of digital currency, coin, or token. In May 2018, President Trump issued E.O. 13835, which prohibited transactions related to purchasing Venezuelan debt and any debt owed to Venezuela pledged as collateral. A July 2023

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