Obama orders deeper Venezuela sanctions over abuses

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday ordered fresh sanctions against senior Venezuelan officials involved in cracking down on the opposition, accusing them of perpetrating human rights violations and public corruption in the socialist-governed South American nation. Venezuela responded angrily, recalling its envoy to Washington, Charge d’Affairs Maximilien Arvelaiz, for “consultations.” Most of those targeted for US sanctions were accused of being involved with a 2014 crackdown on opposition protests that left more than 40 dead.

In various cities in Venezuela, members of the GNB used force against peaceful protestors and journalists, including severe physical violence, sexual assault, and firearms.

White House statement

The move is certain to worsen already fraught US-Venezuela ties. The two countries have lacked ambassadors in each other’s capitals since 2010, and are now locked in a bitter dispute over the size of their respective embassies. Last week, Venezuela gave the U.S. two weeks to slash its diplomatic mission there to less than 20 percent of its current size. The U.S., in turn, has criticized Venezuela for its anti-American rhetoric.

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