Trump Administration Expands Sanctions on Maduro’s Inner Circle, Targeting Family Networks in Venezuela
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant escalation of pressure on Venezuela’s ruling regime, the Trump administration announced new sanctions Friday targeting seven family members and close associates of President Nicolás Maduro. The move, orchestrated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aims to dismantle the financial and corrupt networks sustaining Maduro’s government, which the administration has labeled a “rogue narco-state.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the administration’s commitment to curbing the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, stating, “Today, Treasury sanctioned individuals who are propping up Nicolás Maduro’s rogue narco-state. We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs.” He further underscored the threat posed by Maduro and his allies to regional stability, vowing that the administration will persist in targeting the “networks that prop up his illegitimate dictatorship.”
This latest round of sanctions broadens previous efforts by focusing not only on individual actors but also on their familial connections. Among those sanctioned are members of the Malpica Flores family, including Eloisa Flores de Malpica, mother of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores and sister to Cilia Flores, a prominent figure within Maduro’s inner circle. Additional targets include Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba, Eloisa’s husband; Iriamni Malpica Flores, Carlos Erik’s sister; Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez, his wife; and Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado, his adult daughter. The Treasury Department also named associates linked to Ramon Carretero Napolitano, expanding the scope of the crackdown.
The sanctions freeze any assets these individuals hold under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit American persons and entities from engaging in transactions with them. This action is part of a broader strategy to isolate Maduro’s regime economically and politically, aligning with previous designations that labeled the Venezuelan government a foreign terrorist organization, a move announced earlier this year by President Trump.
OFAC’s approach includes a formal process that allows sanctioned individuals to petition for removal, reflecting the department’s policy that sanctions are not intended to be permanent punishments but tools to encourage behavioral change. Analysts note that targeting family networks is a strategic effort to disrupt the regime’s financial lifelines and expose the extent of corruption within Maduro’s circle.
The crackdown comes amid ongoing concerns about Venezuela’s role as a major transit point for narcotics entering the United States. According to data from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Venezuela’s porous borders and compromised institutions have facilitated drug trafficking operations that undermine security in the Western Hemisphere.
The U.S. government’s intensified focus on Venezuela follows a series of diplomatic and economic measures aimed at pressuring Maduro to relinquish power and restore democratic governance. The U.S. Department of State has consistently condemned the Maduro regime for human rights abuses, electoral fraud, and corruption, reinforcing sanctions as a key component of its policy.
Experts suggest that these latest sanctions could further strain Maduro’s hold on power by limiting access to international financial systems and deterring foreign entities from engaging with his associates. However, the regime’s resilience and support from allies such as Russia and China complicate the U.S. strategy.
As the Trump administration continues to prioritize counter-narcotics and anti-corruption efforts in Latin America, this targeted approach reflects a broader commitment to confronting authoritarian regimes that threaten regional peace. The Treasury’s announcement signals that family ties will no longer shield individuals from accountability.
For more details on the sanctions and the administration’s policies, visit the U.S. Treasury’s Venezuela Sanctions page and the U.S. Department of State’s Venezuela overview.
Leave a Reply