CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Amid escalating tensions with socialist Venezuela, the U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced sanctions against officials it said committed human rights abuses during a crackdown on anti-government protests.
The department is imposing a travel ban on a list of unnamed Venezuelan officials, jumping ahead of Congress, which has been pondering a similar move since the height of the protests in March.
The visa restrictions, the U.S.’ strongest action yet against the South American country, “underscores our commitment to holding accountable individuals who commit human rights abuses” deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement.
The action targets 24 high-ranking Venezuelan officials including Cabinet members, senior judiciary members, and senior military, police and National Guard members, according to Congressional aides who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.
In announcing the sanctions, the department cited the months-long street protest movement that left dozens of people dead earlier this year. It said the Venezuelan government had responded in many instances with “arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force.”