Since Nicolás Maduro’s leadership in Venezuela, international sanctions have been imposed predominantly by the U.S., Canada, and the EU in response to corruption and human rights violations. As of early 2025, these sanctions continue to evolve, with recent updates demonstrating significant coordination among sanctioning nations to address democratic backsliding.
Following Nicolás Maduro’s rise to power in 2013, the international community has increasingly responded to Venezuela’s shift towards authoritarianism by imposing sanctions. These measures target individuals involved in corruption, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic institutions. The United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU) have spearheaded these sanctions.
The sanctions affect a significant number of Venezuelan officials, with the U.S. sanctioning 202 individuals, Canada 115, and the EU 69. A shared list shows 48 individuals sanctioned by all three parties, often following U.S. sanctions. Activity in sanction additions peaked post-2024 elections, coinciding with Maduro’s contested re-inauguration.
In January 2025, the U.S., Canada, and the EU announced new sanctions against Venezuelans undermining democracy, marking a coordinated response against Maduro. Prior to this, Canada and the EU had not sanctioned new individuals for years. Most recent sanction additions align closely with U.S. designations, bolstering the effectiveness of the sanctions network.
Sanction classification divides individuals into political elites, economic elites, and security personnel. The U.S. has seen a historical progression in sanctions, beginning with 17 by the Obama administration, up to 135 by Trump, with a slight decline under Biden. The current landscape highlights both collaborative efforts among sanctioning countries and an aim for improved consistency.
The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center is instrumental in examining the Venezuelan crisis and provides a platform for developing policy solutions. Through initiatives like the Global Sanctions Dashboard, stakeholders can analyze evolving sanctions and their implications on Venezuela’s political landscape.
The international community has strategically sanctioned numerous individuals in Venezuela to counteract the erosion of democratic governance and human rights under Nicolás Maduro. As evidenced by recent updates in 2025, these coordinated sanctions by the U.S., Canada, and the EU reflect a unified stance against corruption and authoritarianism. Enhanced collaboration is key to reinforcing the impact of these measures, with ongoing assessments of the sanctions framework being crucial for future actions.
Original Source: www.atlanticcouncil.org
