OFAC sanctions target four Venezuelan governors

The Treasury Department agency is taking action against the government officials for deliberating blocking humanitarian aid from entering the South American country.    The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on four Venezuelan state governors aligned with President Nicolas Maduro, who is attempting to retain power in the South American country.  
   OFAC said it is taking the action against the governors primarily for their efforts to block delivery of much needed humanitarian aid from the U.S. and other countries to the Venezuelan people. 
   The sanctioned Venezuelan state governors include Omar Jose Prieto Fernandez of Zulia state, Ramon Alonso Carrizalez Rengifo of Apure state, Jorge Luis Garcia Carneiro of Vargas state, and Rafael Alejandro Lacava Evangelista of Carabobo state.
    As a result of OFAC’s action, all property and interests in property of these individuals, as well as any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by these individuals, that are in the U.S. or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the agency. While the sanctions are in place, any U.S. business transactions with these four governors will generally be prohibited.
    “The United States fully supports the efforts of Interim President Juan Guaidó to address the endemic corruption, human rights abuses, and violent repression that has become the hallmark of the illegitimate Maduro regime, and looks forward to the restoration of a democratically elected government for the people of Venezuela,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin in a statement.