Overview
- Treasury designated seven relatives and associates linked to Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, including Maduro’s sister-in-law Eloisa Flores de Malpica, expanding penalties to immediate family members.
- Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said the targets are propping up a “rogue narco-state” and vowed to prevent Venezuela from “flooding” the U.S. with drugs.
- The latest designations come alongside maritime actions that include strikes on suspected drug boats, deployment of a carrier group, seizure of the tanker Skipper, and a declared blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.
- Al Jazeera reports that U.S. attacks on boats off Venezuela’s coast have killed more than 100 people since September.
- Maduro’s government denies criminal ties and says Washington seeks control of Venezuela’s oil, while President Trump has declared Venezuela “completely surrounded” and demanded the return of resources.