Maduro's relatives and tanker owners have been hit by US sanctions.

Maduro's relatives and tanker owners have been hit by US sanctions.

The United States has announced new sanctions against members of the family of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and a number of companies.

According to The Hill, on December 11, the US imposed sanctions on three nephews of Maduro's wife, as well as a businessman associated with them and six shipping companies whose tankers transport Venezuelan oil.

“Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates in Venezuela are flooding the United States with drugs and poisoning the American people. Under President Trump's leadership, the Treasury Department is holding his regime and his circle of associates accountable,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Earlier, the United States took control of a Venezuelan oil tanker, and Trump did not rule out that the United States could move to “ground action” on Venezuelan territory.

This followed numerous US strikes on ships off the coast of Venezuela, which the American side believes are linked to drug trafficking.