US sanctions 5 officials close to Venezuela's Maduro

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Friday announced it would sanction five officials who are closely aligned with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"We are sanctioning officials in charge of [President Nicolas] Maduro’s security and intelligence apparatus," the Department of Treasury said in a statement.

They include the Commander of Maduro’s Presidential Guard Ivan Hernandez Dala, Director General of the Venezuelan National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) Manuel Cristopher Figuera, the first Commissioner of SEBIN Hildemaro Rodriguez Mucura, Commander of the National Police Unit (FAES) Rafael Bastardo Mendoza and President of Venezuelan state-owned oil company, PDVSA, Manuel Quevedo Fernandez.

The agency noted the sanctions are not meant to be permanent, and are meant to influence the behavior of the targeted to get them to "speak out against abuses committed by the government."

The announcement comes amid a continued diplomatic and economic push by the U.S. to force Maduro to cede power to National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president Jan. 23.

The U.S., Canada, most countries in Latin America and more than 20 European nations have backed Guaido following his declaration. But Maduro has refused calls for him to step down, insisting Washington is orchestrating a coup.

China, Iran, Russia and Turkey have put their weight behind Maduro.

Last week, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said the U.S. would lift sanctions for any military official that recognized Guaido as the legitimate leader of the country.