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1 1 (January 26, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveodk0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service nfrmring Ih 1egis191ive debat sin ce 1914 Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions Policy Since 2005, the United States has imposed targeted sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities that have engaged in criminal, antidemocratic, or corrupt actions. In response to increasing human rights abuses and corruption by the government of Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, the Trump Administration expanded U.S. sanctions to include financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, and sanctions on the government. Those sanctions and other international pressure failed to dislodge Maduro and exacerbated an ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis caused by government mismanagement and corruption that has prompted 7.7 million Venezuelans to flee. The Biden Administration has sought to leverage sanctions relief to incentivize Maduro to allow presidential elections in 2024 to be as free and fair as possible. Maduro officials have thus far continued to bar opposition primary winner Maria Corina Machado from running and have increasingly cracked down on dissent. Recent Developments On October 18, 2023, the Biden Administration issued licenses easing energy sanctions on Venezuela through April 2024 after Maduro and the opposition signed the Barbados Accord, which included a roadmap toward holding competitive elections. U.S. officials warned that the licenses could be revoked if the Maduro government did not create a process to allow all barred candidates to run and release wrongfully detained Americans and Venezuelan political prisoners. In late November 2023, the Maduro government announced that candidates barred from office could appeal to the supreme court. Machado appealed; the court's decision is pending. In December, the Maduro government released 20 political prisoners, 10 imprisoned Americans, and Leonard Francis, an American fugitive indicted in a naval bribery scandal. In addition to sanctions relief, the United States released Alex Saab, a U.S.-sanctioned ally of Maduro indicted on U.S. money laundering charges. The 118th Congress is closely monitoring the degree to which the Maduro government complies with the Barbados Accord linked to U.S. sanctions relief and could seek to modify U.S. sanctions policy. Unless otherwise noted, information in this product is drawn from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The product does not discuss foreign aid restrictions. Visa Restrictions Since FY2018, the State Department has imposed visa restrictions related to corruption or human rights abuses pursuant to Section 7031(c) of annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations acts on 15 Venezuelans. The State Department also has Updated January 26, 2024 privately revoked the visas of Venezuelans, including those of current Venezuelan officials and their families. Terrorism-Related Sanctions Since 2006, the Secretary of State has made an annual determination (most recently in May 2023) 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 United States has prohibited all U.S. commercial arms sales and retransfers to Venezuela. U.S. Department of Commerce export controls related to Venezuela affect dual-use technology, including expanded restrictions since mid-2020 on sales to military end users. In 2008, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, the U.S. Treasury Department 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 Treasury has imposed asset blocking sanctions on 11 individuals and 25 companies with connections to Venezuela by designating them as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (P.L. 106-120, Title VIII, as amended; 21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.). 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 on those the President identified as responsible for significant acts of violence, serious human rights abuses, or antidemocratic actions. Congress extended these sanctions authorizations through 2023 in P.L. 116-94. President Obama issued E.O. 13692 to implement P.L. 113- 278 in March 2015, 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. Even though the sanctions authorities in P.L. 116-94 expired in December 2023, the President still has the authority to impose them under E.O. 13692. Treasury has imposed SDN sanctions on more than 110 Venezuelans and at least eight entities pursuant to E.O.

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