CARACAS/WASHINGTON: Washington imposed sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials for their role in creating an all-powerful legislative body loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, while a mayor-turned-fugitive called for more anti-government protests.The new US sanctions targeted politicians and security figures but stopped short of actions against Venezuela’s vital oil industry. Energy sector sanctions, which could cripple Venezuela’s already ailing economy, are still being considered, US officials said.The sanctions followed Friday’s installation of a legislative superbody known as the constituent assembly, made up entirely of allies of the ruling Socialist Party and armed with the power to re-write the constitution.The assembly’s first action was to fire Venezuela’s chief prosecutor, who had accused Maduro of human rights abuses, confirming opposition fears that the assembly would purge the government of dissenting voices.
Maduro’s loyalist Supreme Court has, meanwhile, stepped up the prosecution of opposition politicians including Ramon Muchacho, mayor of the wealthy Chacao district of capital city Caracas.
Muchacho appeared in a video shot from a secret location after the court removed him from office and sentenced him to 15 months in prison on Tuesday for failing to halt anti-government protests in his district.
Trending
- WPFD observes in Kotli, freedom of press linked with resolving journalist’s issues, Panel Discussion
- PML-N purpose is to serve the people, build and develop Pakistan: Begum Tahseen Fawad
- DOA welcomes Mr. Ali Hassan Zehri, on becoming the advisor to CM
- Government deals every kind of mafia and their patrons with an iron hand: PM AJK
- PM AJK presides over Cabinet meeting
- Overseas community played a pivotal role in highlighting the Kashmir issue at International Level: President AJK
- Address by journalists in the program held on International Journalism Day
- Government uses all resources to solve the problems of refugees on a priority basis: Ch. Akmal Sargala