The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions on family members and close associates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, escalating pressure on Caracas as Washington steps up efforts to isolate the government.
In a statement, the US Treasury Department said it sanctioned seven individuals linked to Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said those targeted were helping sustain what he described as an illicit state structure tied to drug trafficking.
Bessent said the sanctions were aimed at disrupting networks that support Maduro’s rule. “We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs,” he said, adding that the administration would keep pursuing individuals connected to what he called Maduro’s illegitimate government.
He said the individuals sanctioned were part of a broader effort to protect regional stability. According to the Treasury, the measures freeze any US based assets and bar Americans from doing business with those named.
Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Friday’s action focused on relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, a nephew of Cilia Flores who was sanctioned last week. US authorities have accused Malpica Flores of involvement in a corruption scheme tied to state oil company PDVSA, according to Reuters.
Those sanctioned on Friday included his mother, who is the sister of the first lady, as well as his father, sister, wife, and daughter, the Treasury said.
Maduro’s government has repeatedly rejected US accusations of criminal activity and says Washington is seeking to remove him to gain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves.
In recent months, President Donald Trump’s administration has expanded military and enforcement actions in the southern Caribbean. The United States has intercepted suspected drug vessels, seized a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela, and declared a blockade on sanctioned oil shipments entering or leaving the country.
Trump has also said publicly that strikes inside Venezuela are imminent, though no timeline has been confirmed.
Read Also: Trump Orders Blockade Of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers
Separately, the Treasury said it extended a general license protecting Venezuela owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors through February three. The extension was shorter than previous renewals, which had typically lasted six months.
Citgo, which is based in Houston, has been shielded from creditors even as a US court oversees an auction of shares in its parent company PDV Holding. The license temporarily blocks transactions tied to a Venezuelan bond backed by Citgo equity.
In November, a US judge approved the sale of shares in Citgo’s parent company to an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management following approval of a five point nine billion dollar bid, according to court records.