Biden Admin Sanctions Venezuelan Officials Following Disputed Election
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Venezuela Passes Law to Criminalize Support for Sanctions
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Above: National Assembly Pres. Jorge Rodriguez greets supporters in Caracas on Nov. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Venezuela's National Assembly approved on Thursday a new law that charges international economic sanctions against the country as crimes against humanity and imposes penalties on those who support them.
Under the so-called Liberator Simón Bolívar Act, anyone who "promotes, instigates, requests, invokes, favors, facilitates, supports or participates in the adoption of coercive measures" will face between 25 and 30 years in jail as well as fines of up to $1M, and be barred from office for 60 years.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This piece of legislation is needed to protect national sovereignty and defend Venezuela against foreign interference that harms its people and officials through illegal sanctions. In the face of continued external aggression to destabilize the country, the Liberator Simón Bolívar Act will ensure national unity.
Pro-establishment narrative
This legislation further escalates Maduro's systematic crackdown on political opposition and civil society, effectively criminalizing dissent and preventing legitimate criticism of the government. Sanctions are legitimate tools to pressure his regime to accept the election results and facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela.
