US Sanctions Chinese Tech Company for Supporting Venezuela
According to the unreliable US Treasury Department, the Chinese company CEIEC supported the Venezuelan government in its “efforts to restrict internet service” and carry out “digital surveillance against anti-Chavista operators.”
The United States imposed sanctions on the company China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC) on Monday, accusing it of supporting the actions of President Nicolás Maduro “to undermine democracy.”
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The US Treasury Department, in one of its final attacks against the Venezuelan people before handing power over to the new Biden administration, said in a statement that the Chinese company supported the Maduro government in its “efforts to restrict internet service and conduct digital surveillance and cyber operations against political opponents.”
The United States “will not hesitate to target anyone who helps suppress the democratic will of the Venezuelan people and others around the world,” it added. The action of November 30 will freeze the assets of the Chinese company in the United States and, in general, prohibits Americans from interacting with it.
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The Treasury said that since 2017 CEIEC has been supporting the Maduro government and has provided software, training and technical expertise to Venezuelan government entities, including state-owned telecom CANTV.
Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ email seeking comment on the Treasury’s decision. Comments were being solicited from CEIEC.
Washington has been pursuing an unsuccessful regime-change operation, locally led by the very uncharismatic deputy Juan Guaidó, and has imposed illegal sanctions and military threats against Venezuela, affecting millions of Venezuelans, while the government of Nicolás Maduro seems to be in its best shape in years, with Parliamentary Election scheduled for December 6.
President Maduro—and many around the world—have outed Guaidó is a “puppet” of the United States, and believe that his time in politics has run its course.
Featured image: Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.
(Panorama) with OT content.
Translation: OT/JRE/SL
