The United States issued sanctions Tuesday against a Venezuelan company, Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA (EANSA), alleging its involvement in acquiring Iranian-designed drones. The US Department of the Treasury stated that EANSA maintains and oversees the assembly of drones from Iran's Qods Aviation Industries, which is already under US sanctions.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned Jose Jesus Urdaneta Gonzalez, chairman of EANSA, accusing him of coordinating with Venezuelan and Iranian armed forces personnel on drone production. These actions come as tensions between Washington and both Tehran and Caracas continue to rise.
The sanctions are designed to limit EANSA's and Urdaneta Gonzalez's access to the US financial system and restrict their ability to conduct business with US entities. The US government has been increasingly concerned about the deepening relationship between Iran and Venezuela, particularly in the area of military cooperation. Iran has been seeking to expand its influence in Latin America, while Venezuela, under US sanctions, has been looking for alternative partners.
The specific type of drones involved in the alleged trade was not detailed in the Treasury Department's announcement, but Iran unveiled the Mohajer-10 drone in August 2023, showcasing advancements in its drone technology. The US has previously expressed concerns about Iran's drone program, citing its potential use in regional conflicts and its proliferation to non-state actors.
These sanctions represent the latest effort by the US to counter what it sees as destabilizing activities by Iran and its allies. The US has maintained a complex web of sanctions against both Iran and Venezuela, targeting their energy sectors, financial institutions, and individuals accused of human rights abuses and corruption. The effectiveness of these sanctions in altering the behavior of the targeted countries remains a subject of debate among policymakers and analysts. The Iranian and Venezuelan governments have yet to issue official statements regarding the new sanctions. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the US continues to monitor the relationship between Iran and Venezuela.
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