The measure would deny visas and freeze the assets of officials allegedly involved in what the United States considers a violation of protestor’s rights. Right wing protests in Venezuela earlier this year lasted over three months leaving 43 dead.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denounced the “insolent imperialist sanctions” after it was passed by the Senate on Monday. The Venezuelan government has consistently accused the U.S. government for supporting opposition leaders and attempting to destabilize the country. Critics have called U.S. sanctions against Venezuela a ‘‘gimimck’’.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who sponsored the sanctions bill, advocates that other countries do the same. “Governments in our hemisphere and throughout the world must stand in solidarity with the citizens of Venezuela by denying Venezuelan officials involved in human rights violations entry into their countries and access to their financial systems,” Menendez encourages.
On Wednesday, Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, sent a reflective message to U.S. President Barack Obama, urging him to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Also, the countries of the Boliviarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, known as ALBA, rejected the threats of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela.
