Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously 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.

Associated Press

Al Jazeera

Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously 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.

Ultimas Noticias

Barron's

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 law, which allows for trials in absentia and seizure of property, also provides several penalties for media outlets found to be pro-sanctions, including multimillion dollar fines and shutdown.

The law, which allows for trials in absentia and seizure of property, also provides several penalties for media outlets found to be pro-sanctions, including multimillion dollar fines and shutdown.

This comes as the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on Wednesday new sanctions on 21 Venezuelan officials for their alleged role in undermining the electoral process in Venezuela and repressing the opposition.

US Department of State

Venezuelanalysis

This comes as the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on Wednesday new sanctions on 21 Venezuelan officials for their alleged role in undermining the electoral process in Venezuela and repressing the opposition.

Among those sanctioned are Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez, intelligence chief Alexis José Rodríguez Cabello — who is cousin of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello — and the head of the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, Javier José Marcano Tabata.

US Department of the Treasury

Among those sanctioned are Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez, intelligence chief Alexis José Rodríguez Cabello — who is cousin of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello — and the head of the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, Javier José Marcano Tabata.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration called opposition leader Edmundo González <a href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2024/us-recognizes-venezuelas-opposition-leader-as-presidentelect" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"president-elect"</a> of Venezuela for the first time since the July 28 presidential election, and the US House of Representatives approved a bill to block the federal government from contracting any people or company doing business with the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Reuters

Axios

Earlier this month, the Biden administration called opposition leader Edmundo González "president-elect" of Venezuela for the first time since the July 28 presidential election, and the US House of Representatives approved a bill to block the federal government from contracting any people or company doing business with the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Associated Press #3536

Al Jazeera #2376

Last week he legislation follows the US House of Representatives' passage of the BOLIVAR Act, which would prohibit US government bodies from contracting companies doing business with Maduro's government. The dispute stems from Venezuela's July 28 presidential election, where both Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González claim victory, with González subsequently fleeing to Spain.

Reuters #

Axios #

Last week he legislation follows the US House of Representatives' passage of the BOLIVAR Act, which would prohibit US government bodies from contracting companies doing business with Maduro's government. The dispute stems from Venezuela's July 28 presidential election, where both Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González claim victory, with González subsequently fleeing to Spain.

The law is a necessary measure to protect Venezuela's sovereignty and defend against foreign interference that harms the Venezuelan people through illegal sanctions. It serves as a shield against destabilizing intentions and ensures national unity in the face of external aggression.

The law is a necessary measure to protect Venezuela's sovereignty and defend against foreign interference that harms the Venezuelan people through illegal sanctions. It serves as a shield against destabilizing intentions and ensures national unity in the face of external aggression.

teleSUR English

The National Assembly of Venezuela Passes Organic Law in Defense of the Republic and Against the Imperialist Blockade

Orinoco Tribune

US Issues New Sanctions Against Venezuela

The legislation represents another step in Maduro's systematic crackdown on political opposition and civil society, effectively criminalizing dissent and preventing legitimate criticism of the government. It aims to silence those who seek international support to restore democracy in Venezuela.

The legislation represents another step in Maduro's systematic crackdown on political opposition and civil society, effectively criminalizing dissent and preventing legitimate criticism of the government. It aims to silence those who seek international support to restore democracy in Venezuela.

The Rio Times

Venezuela’s Iron Fist: New Law Criminalizes Support for Sanctions

CNN #

US to sanction Maduro-aligned officials, to put pressure on Venezuela’s president to accept election results

There's a 79% chance that Edmundo González, the opposition candidate in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, will be charged with a crime by Venezuelan authorities before the end of 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 79% chance that Edmundo González, the opposition candidate in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, will be charged with a crime by Venezuelan authorities before the end of 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Will Edmundo González, the opposition candidate in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, be charged with a crime by Venezuelan authorities before the end of 2024?

*** GETTY *** Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images

Venezuela Passes Law to Criminalize Support for Sanctions

*** GETTY *** Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images

Venezuela Passes Law to Criminalize Support for Sanctions

Civil liberties

United States of America

Venezuela

This piece of legislation is needed to protect national sovereignty and defend Venezuela against foreign interference that harms its people and official through illegal sanctions. In the face of continued external aggression to destabilize the country, the Liberator Simón Bolívar Act will ensure national unity.

This piece of legislation is needed to protect national sovereignty and defend Venezuela against foreign interference that harms its people and official through illegal sanctions. In the face of continued external aggression to destabilize the country, the Liberator Simón Bolívar Act will ensure national unity.

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.

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.

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Venezuela Passes Law to Criminalize Support for Sanctions

Venezuela Passes Law to Criminalize Support for Sanctions

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