Biting Back

Venezuelan lawmakers passed a controversial law this week that criminalizes support for US sanctions, a move that escalates the government’s crackdown on dissent following a disputed presidential election in July that the opposition claims was rigged, Al Jazeera reported.

The new Simon Bolivar Liberator Law classifies economic sanctions as crimes against humanity and imposes penalties of 25 to 30 years in prison for individuals supporting them. It also bans supporters of sanctions from holding public office for up to 60 years, while allowing authorities to prosecute individuals in absentia and seize their property.

Media outlets that are accused of supporting sanctions can be fined up to $51.7 million or shut down entirely.

Critics said the measure is aimed at silencing dissent and consolidating power under President Nicolas Maduro.

The bill also follows heightened tensions with the United States: In recent weeks, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that bans the federal government from working with anyone who has ties to Maduro’s government.

At the same time, Washington imposed a series of sanctions on 21 individuals accused of undermining Venezuela’s presidential vote that was held on July 28, the Associated Press noted.

The National Electoral Council – controlled by Maduro loyalists – declared the incumbent the winner of that race, but a result that the opposition rejected, later publishing online tally sheets from 80 percent of voting machines showing their candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the race.

Protests erupted after the election, leading to more than 2,200 arrests, including political leaders, lawyers, and election volunteers.

The US has recognized González as the country’s legitimate president. Even so, he fled to Spain in September but plans to return in January, saying he is “morally prepared” to face detention.

Meanwhile, opposition figure María Corina Machado is now facing new charges of treason and conspiracy over comments endorsing the US House measure.

Machado has rejected the accusations.