US and Venezuela: Sanctions Over Arrest of Opposition Leader

The U.S. is considering what actions to take against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

This move aims to show that all of Maduro’s political decisions will have consequences.

Additionally, it comes as a response to the arrest warrant issued against opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia.

This was stated on Tuesday during a conversation with the media by White House National Security Advisor John Kirby.

«Of Course, It’s Not Accurate»

Kirby emphasized that these actions being considered by the US aim to condemn the arrest warrant against Edmundo González in Venezuela.

He is accused of allegedly inciting violence, something that «of course is not accurate,» affirmed the senior official in Joe Biden’s administration.

«This is just another example of Mr. Maduro’s efforts to hold onto power by force…»

«…and his refusal to acknowledge that Mr. González won the majority of votes on July 28,» added Kirby, who did not provide further details.

On Monday, Venezuela’s Prosecutor’s Office requested that a court specializing in terrorism issue an arrest warrant for González Urrutia.

This is for his «alleged commission of the crime of usurping duties.»

As well as for «forging public documents,» related to the electoral records of the July 28 presidential election.

The request came after the Prosecutor’s Office summoned González Urrutia three times, and the opposition leader chose not to appear.

Kirby recalled that in recent months, the US has «applied and calibrated» sanctions against Venezuela.

This has been done «in light of the broader interests» of the U.S. and «the actions and omissions taken by Maduro and his representatives.»

The latest significant action against the Venezuelan government was the seizure of Maduro’s official plane on Monday.

The aircraft was taken in the Dominican Republic by order of US authorities, as part of the sanctions imposed on Caracas, Venezuela.

After the seizure, the Venezuelan government announced that it reserves the right to take legal action to address the damage.

In a statement, it called the incident a «criminal practice,» according to a report by Efe.

In April, the US partially reversed the easing of sanctions on Venezuelan oil and gas.

This came after accusing Maduro of failing to meet his electoral commitments by disqualifying opposition candidate María Corina Machado.