The United States escalated pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by imposing sanctions on individuals linked to him and his wife. The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on seven individuals accused of supporting Maduro’s illicit activities. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent condemned their role in bolstering Maduro’s regime and drug trafficking efforts.
The Trump administration intensified its military presence in the southern Caribbean to confront Maduro’s government. Recent actions include targeting suspected drug vessels, seizing an oil tanker, and implementing a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. President Trump hinted at potential land strikes in Venezuela in the near future.
Among those sanctioned were relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, a figure connected to corruption within Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. The sanctions extended to Malpica Flores’ mother, father, sister, wife, and daughter, all allegedly involved in illicit activities linked to Maduro’s regime. Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately respond to the sanctions.