A senior U.S. official has announced plans for stricter visa restrictions and new oil sanctions against Venezuela. Brian Nichols, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, revealed these developments during a press conference, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of Venezuela’s political situation following its recent presidential elections.
Nichols stated that the U.S. is closely examining potential individual sanctions and the revocation of existing oil licenses, particularly in light of allegations surrounding the legitimacy of the recent elections held on July 28. These elections resulted in Nicolás Maduro being elected for a third term as president, a victory that has been met with accusations of fraud from opposition leaders.
Venezuela, a member of OPEC and a major oil producer in Latin America, has seen its crude oil exports significantly decline due to five years of U.S. sanctions targeting its oil industry. However, recent years have shown a rebound in production levels.
Following Maduro’s re-election, opposition figures have called on U.S. officials to revoke oil licenses that generate revenue for his government. Nichols emphasized that Washington is collaborating with allies who share concerns about Venezuela’s governance and is advocating for a democratic transition of power.
In the aftermath of the election, leaders from various countries—including the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain—accused the Venezuelan government of electoral fraud. The U.S. has publicly rejected Maduro’s victory and expressed support for Edmundo Gonzalez, an opposition leader who claims to have won the election.
Opposition claims suggest that Gonzalez secured 73.2% of the votes, leading to widespread protests across Venezuela spearheaded by his supporters. Following the election results announcement, Gonzalez rejected the official tallies and published online data claiming he had won.
However, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez due to his public dissemination of electoral statistics. He faces charges including manipulation of public documents and conspiracy.
Ultimately, Gonzalez fled the country and sought asylum in Spain.
In recent weeks, Venezuela has detained four American citizens on charges of attempting to destabilize the country and involvement in terrorist activities, including alleged plots to assassinate Maduro and other officials.
