Venezuela faces additional US sanctions as 21 Maduro allies are accused of post-election repression.

• The US has placed sanctions on 21 allies of Venezuela's President Maduro for suppressing Venezuelans after the disputed presidential election.
• Despite declaring victory in the election, Maduro and his government have refused to provide vote tallies to support their claim.
• Venezuela's "president-elect" Edmundo González was recognized by the Biden administration last week.

On Wednesday, the United States imposed sanctions on 21 allies of President Nicolás Maduro, accusing them of participating in the repression that officials in Venezuela used to respond to the disputed presidential election in July.

The Department of the Treasury has sanctioned the head of the nation's corrections agency, the director of an intelligence service, and the minister of Maduro’s Office of the President, along with dozens of other Venezuelans, including the head of the country’s high court, ministers, and prosecutors.

The Biden administration acknowledged Edmundo González as Venezuela's "president-elect" last week, while the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on more individuals accused of oppressing Venezuelans following the July 28 election.

Despite Maduro's declaration of victory in the election, his government has refused to provide vote tallies to support his claim.

In September, González departed Venezuela for exile in Spain following an arrest warrant related to an investigation into vote tallies publishing. As a former diplomat representing the opposition, he declared victory in the presidential election by a substantial margin.

In September, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on 16 allies of Maduro, accusing them of hindering the election and committing human rights violations.

The impact of the individual sanctions and visa restrictions imposed on Wednesday remains uncertain. Despite being previously punished, Maduro supporters continue to hold positions in Venezuela's government.

On Tuesday, Venezuelan lawmakers continued debating a bill that classifies economic sanctions as a crime against humanity and enables the prosecution of those who support the measures.