Over-aggressive sanctions in Venezuela would backfire on the United States

Frustrated by a deteriorating situation in Venezuela, the Trump administration has widenedits sanctions program on the Maduro government, sending a strong signal to the regime and its supporters. These new measures suggest the search for a balance between increasing pressure on the regime, while protecting U.S. interests and the Venezuelan population. After weeks of closely tailoring its measures to target only Maduro and his inner circle, the Treasury Department widened its scope. The U.S. government restricted the ways for the Venezuelan government could raise money, retaliating against the August 19 de facto dissolution of the country’s elected parliament.

Read the full op-ed in the Miami Herald.