US impose sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials

Washington, March 10, (dpa/GNA) - The United States imposed sanctions against seven Venezuelan government officials on Monday for allegedly violating the human rights of government critics.

"Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome here, and we now have the tools to block their assets and their use of US financial systems," the White House said.

The list includes current and former officials of Venezuela's armed forces, police and intelligence service and one public prosecutor. It does not include Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro or any other member of his government.

Congress had already passed these measures in December, and US President Barack Obama has now signed them into law.

Washington has called for an end to the persecution of critics by the government of Maduro, a left-wing populist who is the hand-picked successor of the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

In February 2014, the opposition launched protests against crime, serious economic problems, including very high inflation and shortages of ordinary goods, and political oppression. Forty-three people were killed in the protests, hundreds were injured and thousands were arrested.

Key opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has been in jail for over a year, while other top opposition figures, including Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, were arrested last month.

Maduro has repeatedly accused the opposition of plotting to overthrow him, and he has denounced the United States for allegedly assisting the plots.

GNA