WASHINGTON- The head of the US diplomatic mission to VenezuelaFrancisco Palmieri, announced that his country prepared new sanctions against more than 15 public officials of the Venezuelan ruler’s regime, Nicolas Maduroas a result of the fraud in the presidential elections of July 28.
“What I can say is that, for the serious human rights violations in Venezuela, for each of the responsible officials, we sanctioned more, much more than the 15 people mentioned in a press article,” Palmieri said in an interview published by the news portal Efecto Cocuyo.
Palmieri declined to name any names, but stressed that the move was a response to what Washington considered a response to Maduro and his regime’s lack of will to resolve the political crisis.
“Maduro could not accept the result of July 28. He lives in a reality that does not match the world, and that is why he is increasingly isolated from Venezuela and from the international community itself,” he argued.
Palmieri believes that to resolve this conflict, Chavismo must give in and promote dialogue. “The only way to resolve the conflict is through dialogue. We know that Edmundo González Urrutia was the one who obtained the most votes. We assume our responsibility to promote democratic solutions, but that requires that the other party recognize González Urrutia’s victory. The United States was always willing to play a constructive role to help,” he said.
However, the diplomat believes that “the root of the problem in Venezuela is the lack of democracy and respect for the Constitution.”
Regarding Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s request for greater involvement and commitment from the United States, Palmieri stressed that she “fights for democracy in Venezuela and has our full support.” “We have the list of those responsible and we will continue to put pressure on individuals who violate human rights,” she said.
