United States Expands Sanctions on Maduro Relatives and Associates, Targeting Narco‑Corruption Network
Updated (2 articles)
Sanctions Announced Target Maduro Family Network On 20 December 2025 the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued sanctions against seven members of Nicolás Maduro’s extended family and Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero, naming Eloisa Flores de Malpica, Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba, Iriamni Malpica Flores, Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez, Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado, and Carretero, alongside references to previously sanctioned Carlos Erik Malpica Flores. The Treasury described the action as a strike against the “narco‑corruption structure” that finances Maduro’s regime [1].
Congressional Reaction Highlights Intolerable Status Quo The day before, Senator Marco Rubio told reporters the “status quo” with Maduro’s government was intolerable, emphasizing that the regime collaborates with terrorist groups and threatens U.S. interests. Rubio referenced the Treasury’s latest round of sanctions on Maduro’s sister‑in‑law and other Malpica Flores relatives, noting it was the second set of measures in as many weeks after a prior sanction of three nephews, two of whom had received clemency in a 2022 prisoner swap [2].
U.S. Military Strikes Linked to Drug‑Trafficking Campaign Both outlets reported that U.S. forces have conducted lethal strikes on vessels alleged to be part of a narcotics smuggling network operating in the Caribbean and Pacific, with casualty figures exceeding 100 deaths. The strikes are presented as complementary to the financial pressure of the sanctions, aiming to dismantle the logistical channels that support Maduro’s illicit oil‑funded operations [1][2].
Discrepancies in Target Descriptions and Policy Emphasis CNN describes the latest sanctions as targeting “Maduro’s sister‑in‑law” without listing individual names, whereas Newsweek provides a detailed roster of specific relatives and the businessman Carretero. Additionally, CNN notes President Donald Trump’s announcement of a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and threats of land strikes, details absent from the Newsweek report [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: US expands sanctions on Maduro family and associates amid narco‑corruption push: Details the December 20 2025 OFAC sanctions, lists each targeted individual, and frames the move as part of a broader effort to cripple the regime’s narcotics‑linked financial network .
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2.
CNN: Rubio says status quo with Maduro regime intolerable as Trump sanctions Maduro relatives: Highlights Rubio’s condemnation of the Maduro government, describes the December 19 2025 second‑round sanctions on Maduro’s sister‑in‑law and other relatives, and emphasizes accompanying military strikes and Trump’s blockade threats .
Timeline
Oct 2022 – The United States grants clemency to two of Maduro’s nephews, described as “narco nephews,” as part of a prisoner‑swap deal that frees Americans detained in Venezuela [1].
Early Dec 2025 – The Treasury Department sanctions three of Maduro’s nephews for alleged narcotics ties, marking the first round of family‑targeted measures against the Venezuelan regime [1].
Dec 19 2025 – Senator Marco Rubio declares the status quo with the Maduro regime “intolerable,” accusing it of cooperating with terrorist groups and threatening U.S. interests, while President Trump announces a “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers to and from Venezuela and threatens land strikes, though neither pledges to inform Congress [1].
Dec 19 2025 – The Treasury issues a second round of sanctions, this time targeting Maduro’s sister‑in‑law and other relatives of Malpica Flores, expanding pressure on the inner circle after the earlier nephew sanctions [1].
Dec 19 2025 – U.S. military forces carry out deadly strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 100 people; the operations draw congressional scrutiny as part of a broader anti‑narco campaign [1].
Dec 20 2025 – OFAC announces new penalties against seven relatives and associates linked to Malpica Flores—including Eloisa Flores de Malpica, Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba, Iriamni Malpica Flores, Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez, Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado—and Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero, describing the action as targeting a “narco‑corruption structure” that sustains Nicolás Maduro’s regime [2].
Dec 20 2025 – The expanded sanctions also reference previously sanctioned nephew Carlos Erik Malpica Flores for alleged PDVSA‑related corruption, reinforcing the U.S. strategy to dismantle financial networks supporting the Venezuelan government [2].
External resources (2 links)
- https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0343 (cited 1 times)