Biden administration sanctions Venezuelan senior officials

State of play: The announcement Wednesday comes as the Maduro regime pursues criminal charges against members of the opposition. González is in exile in Spain due to concerns for his safety.

• The U.S. has sanctioned a total 180 Venezuelan officials and 100 entities.

What they're saying: The administration "will continue to use our tools to hold Maduro and his cronies accountable and support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people," a senior administration official said during a press call Wednesday.

Flashback: In October 2023, the U.S. eased oil and gas sanctions on Venezuela after its leaders promised to hold free and fair elections.

• But even before the elections, Maduro's allies were harassing the opposition and barred its leader, María Corina Machado, from running even though she had overwhelmingly won the primaries.
• Machado was replaced by González, a former diplomat.

• Maduro claimed victory after the summer elections and the nation's electoral commission, stacked with his allies, certified his victory.
• The U.S. this April let those oil sanctions waivers expire.

Between the lines: The Biden administration last week began calling González "president-elect" of Venezuela, an oil-rich country where hyperinflation and political repression have forced nearly 8 million people to flee.

• Though the U.S. had previously said González was the rightful winner, calling him "president-elect" marked a significant step in its overt support for the opposition.