US sanctions MPs who attempted coup against Parliament

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned National Assembly deputies Luis Parra, José Brito, Negal Morales, Goyo Noriega, Conrado Pérez, Adolfo Superlano and Franklyn Duarte.

“The Treasury has named seven corrupt National Assembly officials who, at Maduro’s behest, tried to block the democratic process in Venezuela,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “These and other designated officials can have their sanctions lifted if they side with the people of Venezuela and Juan Guaidó as their legitimate leader.”

These deputies led the attempted coup against the National Assembly on January 5th, blocking the entrance to the Federal Legislative Palace of the president in charge, Juan Guaidó, and other deputies, who were preparing to elect the new Board of Directors.

On January 5th, security forces controlled by Maduro prevented Guaidó and 100 other deputies of the National Assembly from entering the Federal Legislative Palace. Meanwhile, this small group of deputies led by Luis Parra held a fraudulent election without a quorum.

These U.S. Treasury appointments are pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13692, as amended, which authorizes sanctions against current or former officials of the Venezuelan regime and others who undermine democratic processes or institutions in Venezuela.

Today’s appointments focus on seven National Assembly delegates aligned with Maduro who took steps to undermine the electoral process in the National Assembly. The group is led by Luis Eduardo Parra Rivero, who continues to obstruct National Assembly proceedings. In addition, Parra and the other formerly prominent delegates supported an illegitimate vote without a quorum, while security forces loyal to Maduro physically prevented most National Assembly delegates, including Guaidó, from entering the building for the vote. Parra, along with Adolfo Superlano, Conrado Pérez and José Brito, are already under investigation by order of the president in charge, Juan Guaidó, for corruption.

The following persons have been added to the OFAC SDN list:

BRITO RODRÍGUEZ, José Dionisio, Anzoátegui, Venezuela; Date of birth January 15th, 1972; Male gender; ID No. V-8263861

DUARTE, Franklyn Leonardo, Táchira, Venezuela; Date of birth May 15th, 1977; Male; ID No. V-13304045.

MORALES LLOVERA, Negal Manuel, Miranda, Venezuela; Date of birth March 8th, 1972; Male gender; ID No. V-9670642.

NORIEGA FIGUEROA, José Gregorio, Sucre, Venezuela; Date of birth February 21st, 1969; Male gender; ID No. V-8348784.

PARRA RIVERO, Luis Eduardo, Yaracuy, Venezuela; Date of birth July 7th, 1978; Male gender; ID No. V-14211633.

PÉREZ LINARES, Conrado Antonio, Trujillo, Venezuela; Date of birth May 24th, 1982; Male gender; ID No. V-15584063.

SUPERLANO, Adolfo Ramón, Barinas, Venezuela; Date of birth June 7th, 1954; Male gender; ID No. V-4262374.