U.S. Enacts New Sanctions Targeting Maduro's Associates and Venezuelan Oil Transport
December 11, 2025399 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Thursday aimed at associates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, alongside several companies and vessels linked to the transportation of Venezuelan oil. This action seeks to intensify pressure on the Maduro regime in Caracas.
**Targets Among Associates**
The sanctions specifically target three of Maduro's relatives, including Evraín Antonio Campo Flores and Franky Francisco Flores de Freitas, both of whom were convicted of drug trafficking in 2017 after their arrest in Haiti and subsequent extradition to the U.S.
The third individual is Carlos Eric Malpica Flores, who serves as Vice President of the state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela. He was previously sanctioned by the U.S. from 2017 to 2022.
The sanctions also encompass a Panamanian businessman accused of entering into contracts with Maduro and his associates.
**Focusing on the Oil Sector**
The measures include sanctions against six vessels implicated in the transport of Venezuelan oil, which are registered in the United Kingdom, the British Virgin Islands, and the Marshall Islands. These actions follow the U.S. Coast Guard's recent seizure of an oil tanker believed to be transporting Venezuelan crude, with White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt confirming that the vessel is being redirected to a U.S. port for the confiscation of its cargo.
**Sanction Procedures and Their Consequences**
The sanctions impose a complete freeze on the assets of the targeted individuals and companies within U.S. jurisdiction, prohibiting any transactions by U.S. citizens or companies with them. Furthermore, foreign entities may also face restrictions if they conduct transactions using U.S. dollars with the sanctioned parties, thereby amplifying financial pressure on the Venezuelan government and its affiliates.
**Statements from the Treasury Department**
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bancen remarked, "Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates are inundating the United States with drugs that harm American citizens. The Treasury Department, under the Trump administration, is committed to holding the regime and its affiliates accountable for their actions."
**Targets Among Associates**
The sanctions specifically target three of Maduro's relatives, including Evraín Antonio Campo Flores and Franky Francisco Flores de Freitas, both of whom were convicted of drug trafficking in 2017 after their arrest in Haiti and subsequent extradition to the U.S.
The third individual is Carlos Eric Malpica Flores, who serves as Vice President of the state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela. He was previously sanctioned by the U.S. from 2017 to 2022.
The sanctions also encompass a Panamanian businessman accused of entering into contracts with Maduro and his associates.
**Focusing on the Oil Sector**
The measures include sanctions against six vessels implicated in the transport of Venezuelan oil, which are registered in the United Kingdom, the British Virgin Islands, and the Marshall Islands. These actions follow the U.S. Coast Guard's recent seizure of an oil tanker believed to be transporting Venezuelan crude, with White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt confirming that the vessel is being redirected to a U.S. port for the confiscation of its cargo.
**Sanction Procedures and Their Consequences**
The sanctions impose a complete freeze on the assets of the targeted individuals and companies within U.S. jurisdiction, prohibiting any transactions by U.S. citizens or companies with them. Furthermore, foreign entities may also face restrictions if they conduct transactions using U.S. dollars with the sanctioned parties, thereby amplifying financial pressure on the Venezuelan government and its affiliates.
**Statements from the Treasury Department**
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bancen remarked, "Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates are inundating the United States with drugs that harm American citizens. The Treasury Department, under the Trump administration, is committed to holding the regime and its affiliates accountable for their actions."
