U.S. sanctions more individuals allegedly supporting Maduro's rule

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions on several more family members and associates of the Maduro-Flores family on Friday, alleging their support for the Venezuelan government.

"Today, Treasury sanctioned individuals who are propping up Nicolas Maduro's rogue narco-state. We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement.

Bessent added that the Trump administration will continue targeting the networks supporting Maduro's rule.

Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Maduro and his government have vehemently denied links to crime and say the U.S. is seeking to oust him in order to control Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

In recent months, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Maduro, executing a large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean. The U.S. has carried out strikes against suspected drug vessels in the region, seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and declared a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

Trump has also repeatedly stated that strikes on land in Venezuela are coming soon, adding on Thursday that he does not rule out the possibility of war with Venezuela.

Friday's sanctions targeted relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, the nephew of Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores. The U.S. alleges Malpica Flores was involved in a corruption plot at state oil company PDVSA. He was sanctioned by Washington last week. His mother, the sister of Maduro's wife, as well as his father, sister, wife and daughter, were also hit with sanctions on Friday.

The Treasury also extended a general license on Friday, protecting Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors through February 3, a license originally set to expire on December 20. This was a shorter extension than the last one issued in June, which had a six-month duration.

Washington has protected the Houston-based company from creditors in recent years, even amid a court-organized auction of shares in its parent company, PDV Holding. The license temporarily bans transactions with a Venezuela-issued bond collateralized with Citgo equity.

Operating refineries on U.S. soil, Citgo is deeply embedded in the U.S. energy system. U.S. officials have long argued that protecting Citgo is not about shielding Venezuela's government, but about safeguarding a strategic U.S.-based energy asset and preserving policy leverage.

In November, a U.S. judge authorized the sale of shares in Citgo's parent company to an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management, following his approval of a $5.9 billion bid in a court-organized auction to pay Venezuela-linked creditors. The sale order, pending Treasury Department approval, is the final major legal step in a two-year auction aimed at compensating creditors for debt defaults and expropriations.

(With input from agencies)