Coordinating sanctions with allies

This graph does not include sanctions issued by all three countries in January 2025 in response to Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate re-inauguration.

The United States, with its current list of 202 designees, sanctions the most individuals linked to Venezuela’s political crisis. Canada currently sanctions 123, and the EU sanctions sixty-nine. Of the 202 US-sanctioned individuals, Canada sanctions eighty-seven of the same individuals, while the EU sanctions fifty-eight. Forty-eight individuals are currently sanctioned by all three countries. Most of these were sanctioned by the United States months or years before they were sanctioned by Canada and the EU.  

During 2023 and 2024, there was almost no activity in adding individuals to their sanctions lists. This changed in late 2024 following the stolen presidential election. 

Closing gaps in Venezuela sanctions

In January 2025, the United States, Canada, and the EU announced new individual sanctions on Venezuelans involved in undermining democracy. The release of the sanctions coincided with Nicolás Maduro's re-inauguration for a third illegitimate term. 

These recent sanctions additions by all three countries are notable in demonstrating a coordinated opposition to Maduro's continued consolidation of power. Aside from five individuals sanctioned in December 2024, Canada had not added any individuals since 2019, and the EU had not added any individuals since 2021. 

Almost all the sanctions announced by Canada and the EU were on individuals that the United States had previously sanctioned, adding to the cohesion of the Venezuela sanctions regimes. Greater consistency in sanctioning individuals creates a more potent sanctions network with a more tangible impact on those sanctioned.

Classifications are based on the primary affiliation of the individual for the activities related to their designation on the SDN list. Political elites include officials currently or formerly holding formal offices, as well as individuals who have benefitted from political proximity, such as Maduro's stepsons. Economic elites include those who have engaged in corrupt financial dealings without holding formal office. Security and intelligence personnel include those currently or previously affiliated with various security and intelligence branches, including the DGCIM (military counterintelligence branch), SEBIN (intelligence branch), FANB (national armed forces), GNB (national guard), and PNB (national police).  

Who's on the US list?

The ‘other’ category includes individuals such as Colombian guerilla affiliates or Hezbollah-linked affiliates that do not fit our classifications as political or economic elites or former military and security personnel.