US imposes sanctions on Maduro’s alleged “narco-relatives”
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released a new set of sanctions on Thursday, targeting three of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores’s relatives, commonly referred to in Venezuela as the “narco-nephews.” The measures freeze any property or interests in US jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons and companies from engaging in business with them.
The sanctions also extend to a Panamanian businessman, Ramón Carretero, along with six companies and six vessels registered under the Venezuela flag, all accused of assisting in the transportation of Venezuelan oil and linked to Maduro’s circle.
OFAC stated that Carretero has conducted business with Maduro’s family and has arranged oil shipments on behalf of the Venezuelan government, intensifying the regime’s exposure to U.S. financial restrictions.
Treasury Secretary John Bessent framed the actions within a broader crackdown, saying, “Nicolás Maduro and his criminal associates in Venezuela are flooding the United States with drugs that poison the American people.” He added that, under President Trump’s leadership, the regime and its network are being held accountable for ongoing illicit activities.
Despite earlier episodes where Maduro’s son-in-law was briefly sanctioned in 2017 and later removed in 2022 to facilitate dialogue on Venezuela’s democratic process, this latest step reimposes pressure on the president’s inner circle.
Oil-tanker seizures and potential follow-ups
Reports indicate that the U.S. is preparing for additional seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers. The most recent incident—the seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast—marked a significant escalation, coinciding with a broad military posture in the Caribbean region.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on possible future moves regarding oil tankers, stating that the focus remains on the new sanctions package. She emphasized that sanctioned vessels transporting oil obtained through illicit channels would not be tolerated, framing the action as part of a broader effort to curb narcoterrorism and illicit finances tied to rogue regimes.
If Venezuelan oil exports were reduced or halted, the Maduro regime’s finances would likely suffer, potentially influencing its domestic stability and regional leverage.
Source note: Edited by Roshni Majumdar
