The United States has imposed sanctions on family members and close associates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, intensifying pressure on the Venezuelan leader amid concerns over drug trafficking and corruption.
The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on seven people linked to Maduro and his wife, including relatives of Cilia Flores, Maduro’s spouse.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs,” describing Maduro and his network as a threat to hemispheric peace and stability.
Friday’s measures specifically targeted relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, the nephew of Cilia Flores, who was sanctioned last week over a corruption scheme at state oil company PDVSA. The new sanctions include his mother, father, sister, wife, and daughter.
Background: US pressure on Maduro
The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Maduro in recent months, deploying military assets in the southern Caribbean, striking suspected drug vessels, seizing a sanctioned oil tanker, and enforcing a blockade on sanctioned oil shipments.
Trump has repeatedly warned of potential land strikes in Venezuela, signaling a willingness to escalate further to counter the Maduro government.
Alongside sanctions, the Treasury extended a general license temporarily shielding Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum from creditors through February 3. This is a shorter extension than previous six-month protections.
The Houston-based refiner, a subsidiary of PDV Holding, has been protected from creditors during court-organized auctions aimed at paying Venezuelan-linked creditors. In November, a US judge approved the sale of PDV Holding shares to an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management for $5.9 billion, pending Treasury approval.
The Venezuelan government has denied any links to criminal activity, insisting that US actions are attempts to seize control of the country’s oil reserves. No official comment was immediately provided by Venezuela’s information ministry regarding Friday’s sanctions.
