The Biden administration announced a slew of new sanctions against allies of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in opposition to his claim of election victory, calling his Friday inauguration “illegitimate” and a “desperate attempt to seize power.”

Maduro was sworn in as president of Venezuela on Friday by National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez, expanding the rift between the country’s de-facto government and foreign powers who explicitly question its legitimacy.

The U.S. is increasing its rewards for justice to $25 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction, and that of his minister of interior, Diosado Cabello.

A $15 million reward is also being offered related to Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, part of criminal narco trafficking indictments announced in March 2020.

The U.S. is also sanctioning eight Venezuelan officials leading key economic and security agencies; blacklisting high-level military and police officials involved in repression and human rights abuses against democratic actors; and imposing visa restrictions on “Maduro-aligned individuals” identified as undermining the electoral process or acts of repression in Venezuela.

“The Venezuelan people and world know the truth — Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to claim the presidency,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said........

© The Hill