Former Caracas Mayor Sends Letter to Biden to Maintain Sanctions Against Maduro

Antonio Ledezma, former metropolitan mayor of Caracas, sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden to request that the United States maintain sanctions against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.

In exile, the opposition politician expressed his "concern about the risks of U.S. institutions ending up supporting one of the most criminal regimes that the history of humanity has known, 'THE VENEZUELAN TYRANNY,'" states the letter published on Change.org.

Ledezma said that the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is not a consequence of the sanctions against Maduro and his officials.

"The misfortunes Venezuela is experiencing came before the sanctions imposed. Therefore, relaxing the pressure on tyranny only guarantees its perpetuation together with those who, for years, have pretended to oppose it. These will be satisfied with the crumbs that the tyrants offer for their political survival," reads the text.

Ledezma claimed that Venezuela is no longer a "State of Law, but a narco-state," adding that the lack of legal certainty and separation of powers has only served to further increase the crisis.

"In Venezuela, we do not depend on the laws, not on the rule of law, but on the capricious mood of the tyrants Hugo Chávez and now Nicolás Maduro," pointed out the renowned opposition leader.

He described the claims that the sanctions have not allowed the country to import food and medicines as a "big lie." Instead, producers and businessmen are subjected to an uncertain environment, where they are victims of arbitrary policies of the regime.

He also proposed maintaining the anti-drug measures, including the rewards established for the capture of drug lords who usurp public powers in Venezuela.

Petitions to the U.S. Government:

1. The personalized sanctions against the predators of public goods and against those responsible for crimes against humanity in Venezuela should be maintained and deepened, especially now when the European Union, together with the U.S., is promoting them against the massacre that Vladimir Putin is executing against the Ukrainian people. 
2. Maintain the anti-drug measures.
3. Maintain the rewards for the capture of drug lords who usurp public powers in Venezuela.
4. To continue the trials of extradited persons responsible for unusual swindles such as Alex Saab's case.
5. That support be offered to the investigation phase initiated at the International Criminal Court.
6. Demand the release of civilian and military political prisoners.
7. Maintain and extend safeguards to Venezuelan assets such as real estate, gold, financial capital, and companies such as Citgo.
8. Investigate those involved in the illegal scheme of bondholders based on unfair guidelines.
9. To firmly create, with the support of the international community committed to democratic principles and values, a credible threat for the regime to vacate the institutions they usurp, a fact that does not make it possible to think of holding authentically free elections in Venezuela.