On January 13, the United States sanctioned seven current or former officials of the former Maduro regime involved in attempting to circumvent the Venezuelan National Assembly’s democratic process. These Maduro-associated individuals attempted to siege the National Assembly palace and hold a non-constitutionally sanctioned election to prevent a majority of legitimate Venezuelan legislators from voting.

This U.S. action is taken pursuant to E.O. 13692, as amended, which authorizes sanctions against current or former officials of the Government of Venezuela. It demonstrates the United States’ continued commitment to the Venezuelan people in their struggle to restore democracy and prosperity to Venezuela.

Maduro’s repressive and illegal attempts to stifle the democratic will of the Venezuelan people reveals once more his desperation. We call on Venezuelan security forces to protect the Venezuelan constitution, allow entry of all deputies into the Federal Legislative Palace, and refrain from the use of violence, including against their democratically elected representatives. Venezuela’s security forces owe their ultimate allegiance to the Venezuelan people, not to Maduro. We call on them to recognize their legitimate source of authority.

The United States, along with most Venezuelans and many other countries, continues to recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of the National Assembly and Interim President of Venezuela. We call on all nations to join us in supporting Interim President Guaido and the National Assembly as they work peacefully to restore democracy on behalf of the Venezuelan people.