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Diaz-Balart Commends Additional Sanctions Against Maduro Regime

March 19, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced additional sanctions against the Maduro regime. This latest round of sanctions prohibits any financial transactions involving the regime's Petro digital currency, and imposes sanctions on four Maduro operatives.

"I commend the Trump administration for further tightening sanctions against the Maduro regime by prohibiting financial transactions involving its new digital currency, as well as targeted sanctions against four additional Maduro operatives. Today's action aims to prevent the Maduro regime and its cronies from circumventing sanctions already in place, and holds accountable more individuals involved in corruption. Shamefully, the Maduro regime's corruption and incompetence have plunged a once prosperous country into destitution and crisis. Clearly, Maduro has become increasingly desperate to find new sources of revenue, such as through the new Petro digital currency scheme. By tightening sanctions further – closing a potential loophole and targeting four more corrupt cronies – the Trump administration once again demonstrates that it is serious about opposing tyranny and promoting democracy and human rights in Venezuela."

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