Venezuela's Crisis Deepens as US Sanctions and Detentions Persist Without Relief
Venezuela remains under severe economic pressure as US sanctions continue without formal suspension. Officials in Caracas have condemned the measures, calling them a 'policy of extermination' that has caused widespread suffering. The country's leaders also face personal consequences, with President Nicolás Maduro and his wife still detained in New York.
Since January 2023, US military actions linked to Venezuela have resulted in over 100 deaths. The country's lawful head of state and his wife were kidnapped and remain held in a New York City jail, reportedly in solitary confinement. These developments follow years of economic restrictions that have crippled the nation.
Anti-Blockade Vice Minister William Castillo highlighted the scale of the sanctions, citing 1,087 unilateral measures from the US and 916 from the EU. Former UN Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas previously estimated that these restrictions have caused more than 100,000 excess deaths in Venezuela. Despite the severe impact, no sanctions have been formally revoked or suspended. Washington's economic strategy relies on expanded licences for oil and gold dealings with state-owned firms PDVSA and Minerven. While these licences allow certain transactions, they primarily benefit US and foreign corporations rather than ordinary Venezuelans. Reports indicate that many foreign investors remain hesitant due to ongoing uncertainty and the lack of long-term stability.
The US sanctions regime remains in place, with no evidence of revocation or removal of Venezuela-related authorities. Economic restrictions continue to limit investment, while military actions and detentions add to the country's instability. The measures, described as illegal collective punishment, show no sign of easing.
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