The US Treasury Department announced on December 11 a series of sanctions targeting individuals connected to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and companies involved in the country's oil trade. The measures include three nephews of Cilia Flores, the president's wife: Efrain Antonio Campo Flores, Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas, and Carlos Erik Malpica Flores. Additionally, businessman Ramon Carretero Napolitano was sanctioned, alongside six companies transporting oil for Venezuela and six oil tankers.
Campo and Francisco Flores de Freitas face accusations of drug trafficking in Venezuela. Carlos Erik Malpica Flores was previously sanctioned by the US in 2017, with those sanctions lifted five years later under former President Joe Biden to encourage dialogue with Venezuela. Ramon Carretero Napolitano is accused by the Treasury Department of engaging in "lucrative contracts" with the Maduro government. The six sanctioned companies and six oil tankers are linked to "fraudulent, unsafe transport" operations, which Washington claims are providing financial support to Caracas.
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President Maduro speaks in Caracas on December 1. Photo: AP
These sanctions follow the US seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on December 10. The White House described this action as targeting the Maduro government. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on December 11 that the US would bring the vessel to a US port and confiscate its oil cargo. Venezuela's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the move, labeling it "brazen theft and international piracy."
President Maduro vehemently responded on December 11, stating, "They kidnapped the crew, stole the ship, and opened a new era of pirate crime in the Caribbean." He affirmed that "Venezuela will protect all ships so its oil can be freely traded worldwide."
The US has intensified its pressure on the Maduro government in recent months, deploying a significant military presence to waters near Venezuela under the guise of anti-drug operations. Washington has conducted attacks on over 20 suspected drug-carrying boats in the region, resulting in at least 87 fatalities. Former President Trump also repeatedly suggested the possibility of launching ground operations against drug criminals in Venezuela.
US forces seize oil tanker off Venezuela on December 10. Video: X/AGPamBondi
Maduro has accused the US of seeking to overthrow his regime and gain control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Amid these escalating tensions with the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with President Maduro on December 11, expressing his support for the Venezuelan leader.
By Pham Giang (AFP, Reuters)
