The Trump administration escalated its pressure campaign Tuesday on Venezuela’s socialist government, imposing new financial sanctions on top officials in Caracas, including Cilia Flores, who is married to President Nicolas Maduro, just hours before President Trump urged members of the U.N. General Assembly to support a “restoration of democracy” in the once-booming OPEC nation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the annual New York gathering, Mr. Trump seemed to be inviting the Venezuelan military to step in to stop a humanitarian and refugee crisis from getting worse. Mr. Trump infuriated the Maduro regime last year when he said the U.S. has not ruled out a “military option to deal with the crisis in Caracas.
“It’s a regime that frankly could be toppled very quickly by the military if the military decides to do that,” Mr. Trump told reporters Wednesday.
He also ridiculed Venezuelan military personnel for running for cover during a recent drone bomb attack at a public ceremony in Caracas. “You saw how the military spread as soon as they heard a bomb go off way above their head,” Mr. Trump said of the August incident that was captured on video. ” … That’s not good. I don’t think the [U.S.] Marines would have run.”
In his speech to world leaders Wednesday morning, Mr. Trump said conditions had become “unacceptable” in a country that boasts some of the world’s largest energy deposits.
“Today, socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven its people into abject poverty,” Mr. Trump said. “We ask the nations gathered here to join us in calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”
Mr. Maduro, a protégé of the late anti-U.S. populist Hugo Chavez, quickly shot back, claiming Venezuela was the victim of an “economic war” led by U.S.-backed adversaries. He also offered support for the officials who learned they were sanctioned earlier in the day by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), with several joining him at an event broadcast over state television.
“I’m surrounded by sanctioned [officials],” Mr. Maduro said. “Thank you, Donald Trump, for surrounding me with dignity.”
The latest round of U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuela targeted Ms. Flores, a former politician and important behind-the-scenes power broker, as well as Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
The sanctions were the latest of move by the Trump administration over the past two years to designate dozens of individuals, including Mr. Maduro himself, on allegations of corruption, drug trafficking and human rights abuses. Those listed will have their financial assets in the U.S. seized and they are barred from doing business with Americans.
“President Maduro relies on his inner circle to maintain his grip on power, as his regime systematically plunders what remains of Venezuela’s wealth,” Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. “We are continuing to designate loyalists who enable Maduro to solidify his hold on the military and the government while the Venezuelan people suffer.”
Washington also moved to increase humanitarian aid on Tuesday as a bipartisan group senators announced they had introduced legislation seeking to provide $40 million assistance and also tightening sanctions.
Separately, Vice President Mike Pence said Washington would provide an additional $48 million to U.S. allies confronting the “humanitarian crisis” caused by Venezuelan refugees. A flood of Venezuelans fleeing poverty and repression have strained resources in countries such as Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador.
⦁ Dave Boyer contributed to this report.
• Dan Boylan can be reached at dboylan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.