The measures block assets and transactions in U.S. territory of those involved, who are accused of participating in illicit activities with the Venezuelan state. Photograph: MohitSingh / Wikimedia Commons.
Guacamaya, December 18, 2025. The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned seven individuals identified as being linked to Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle, including direct relatives of his wife and First Lady, Cilia Flores. The measure comes as part of a declared offensive against corruption and drug trafficking by the Venezuelan government.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added to its list direct relatives of Carlos Malpica Flores, nephew of Cilia Flores, former national treasurer and ex-PDVSA official, who had been reinstated under sanctions a week earlier. Those sanctioned include his mother, Eloísa Flores de Malpica; his father, Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba; his sister, Iriamni Malpica Flores; his wife, Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Pérez; and his adult daughter, Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado.
Also sanctioned were the brothers of Panamanian businessman Ramón Carretero, Roberto and Vicente Luis Carretero Napolitano, for their involvement in business dealings with chavismo. The sanctioned individuals are accused of participating in various illicit activities with the Venezuelan state. Consequently, these measures block their assets and transactions in U.S. territory.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “Today, the Treasury sanctioned individuals who support Nicolás Maduro’s dishonest narco-state. We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with lethal drugs.” He added: “Maduro and his criminal accomplices threaten the peace and stability of our hemisphere.”
Russia’s Role Downplayed, War with Maduro Not Ruled Out
Among other actions highlighted during the day regarding ongoing tensions with Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed concerns about an escalation with Russia in relation to the Caribbean country.
Rubio emphasized the Venezuelan government’s alliances with Iran, Hezbollah, and drug-trafficking groups such as ELN and FARC, stating: “In the case of Venezuela, it is very simple: it is an illegitimate regime that openly cooperates with Iran, Hezbollah, and drug-trafficking groups.” This statement reinforces the narrative positioning Venezuela as a regional threat to U.S. security.
Earlier, President Donald Trump admitted in an interview with NBC News that he does not rule out war with Venezuela, after ordering the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and promising further seizures. Speaking about Maduro, he added: “He knows exactly what I want,” when asked if the ultimate goal of his strategy toward Venezuela was to oust Maduro.
These actions by the Trump administration underscore a sustained hardening against Maduro’s government in recent weeks, in a phase that combines financial sanctions with explicit military threats.
