Venezuela approves bill targeting domestic backers of US sanctions | Nicolas Maduro News

The assembly passed a law that will prevent officials who support international sanctions from holding power for up to 60 years.

Venezuelan lawmakers have approved a measure that would apply tougher penalties to those who support US sanctions against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

On Thursday, the National Assembly of that country passed a law called the Simon Bolivar Liberator law, which bans officials who approve the US sanctions against Venezuela from holding power for up to 60 years.

“Anyone who encourages, incites, solicits, solicits, favors, assists, supports or participates in the adoption of coercive measures … shall be punished by imprisonment for 25 to 30 years,” the law said.

The law also allows broadcast media to be banned if they support sanctions, while document-based media outlets could be fined up to $51.7m.

The bill is the latest attempt by Maduro’s government to crush the country’s opposition, which it claims won the July presidential election, in which many cast doubt on Maduro’s victory.

The opposition has released data they say shows a landslide victory for Maduro, who has resisted calls from regional governments to release data that would back up his claims of victory.

Over time, anti-government protests have faced a heavy police crackdown and a series of laws that human rights groups say are aimed at curbing dissent.

Venezuela’s National Assembly – led by the pro-Maduro ruling party – voted for the law after the United States House of Representatives passed the Bolivar Act, which would have barred US government agencies from working with anyone with ties to the Maduro government.

The US Senate has yet to approve that bill, which Maduro himself described as “rubbish”.

The United States has stepped up pressure on Maduro’s government in the past two weeks, recognizing opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as the country’s rightful leader and announcing a new round of sanctions against people suspected of involvement in the post-election crackdown.

Gonzalez, who fled to Spain during the post-election campaign, said he intends to return to Venezuela in early January when the winner of the election will take office. Gonzalez said he is “morally determined” to be arrested if he returns to the country.