The United States Declares Venezuela a Threat to Its National Security

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On March 9, 2015 U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order that declared Venezuela a national security threat to the United States, and also ordered sanctions against seven specific current or former officials under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.  According to the White House, the move was meant as a measured response to target people whose actions, the Obama administration believes, have undermined democratic processes or institutions.  They have committed acts of violence or abused human rights, have helped restrict freedom of expression, or are implicated in public corruption.  The move came just before the reported death in custody of Rodolfo González, who was arrested in April 2014 for involvement in anti-government protests and was considered a “political prisoner” by the opposition.  Obama administration officials said the U.S. effort would not target the energy sector or Venezuela’s broader economy. Yet the move immediately raised tensions between Washington, Venezuela, and the rest of Latin America.  Observers in the region wonder who is threatening whom?   The Venezuelan opposition contends that Obama played right into Maduro’s “coup” narrative, while leftist leaders around the region rallied to Maduro’s side.