The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday (Nov. 30) announced sanctions against China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC), accusing it of supporting the Venezuelan Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine democracy. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said the United States will “not hesitate” to crack down on anyone around the world who suppresses the democratic will of the people. Secretary Pompeo later said in a statement that with this latest action, the United States reaffirms its commitment to hold accountable all those involved in the illegal Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine democracy.
The Chinese company supports the Maduro administration’s “efforts to restrict Internet services and conduct digital surveillance and cyber operations against political opponents,” the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said in the statement: “The United States will not hesitate to target anyone who helps suppress the democratic will of the Venezuelan people and others around the world.”
Both the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. State Department said that China Electronics Import-Export Co. has been providing support to the Maduro government since 2017 and has provided software, training and technical expertise to Venezuelan government entities, including state-run telecommunications provider National Telephone Company of Venezuela (CANTV).
Secretary of State Pompeo said in a statement that CANTV controls 70 percent of Venezuela’s internet service and routinely blocks online independent newspapers as well as members of the opposition from speaking out.
“With this latest action, the United States reaffirms its commitment to holding accountable all those involved in the illegal Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine democracy,” Pompeo said.
Venezuela and China Electronics Import-Export Co. have not yet responded to the sanctions adopted by the United States.
Washington stepped up sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Maduro after his re-election in a 2018 election that was widely perceived as fraudulent, and in January 2019 recognized Venezuelan politician Guaido as the legitimate leader of the OPEC member. In August 2019, the United States imposed a “comprehensive economic embargo” on Venezuela. Bolton, the U.S. national security adviser at the time, said that the United States was prepared to sanction anyone who supported the Maduro regime. The Maduro government denounced the U.S. sanctions as a “serious aggression” that would lead to “the failure of political dialogue.
Maduro, who is backed by the Venezuelan military as well as Russia, China and Cuba, remains in power.
The U.S. action on Monday will freeze any assets of the Chinese company in the U.S. and prohibit U.S. persons from doing business with it.
The Treasury Department also issued a license authorizing a “gradual halt” to transactions with the Chinese company until Jan. 14.
In his statement, Pompeo reiterated his support for Guaido and implied that the United States would not recognize the results of any elections organized by the Maduro regime.
He said, “Maduro’s efforts to manipulate the democratic process should leave no doubt that any elections organized by this illegitimate regime, including the December 6 congressional elections, will be neither free nor fair. We stand with Interim President Guaidó and the Venezuelan people who have fought for years to restore democracy and freedom to Venezuela.”
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