U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
Media Note
June 27, 2019
Today, the United States sanctioned Maduro-aligned Luis Alfredo Motta Dominguez and Eustiquio Jose Lugo Gomez for being current or former officials in the Maduro regime. These individuals have been involved in rampant corruption, as determined by a Department of Justice investigation.
Venezuelans have suffered over 23,860 electrical outages this year due to the corruption and mismanagement of Nicolas Maduro and those associated with him. As the former Minister of Popular Power for Electric Power and former President of CORPOELEC (Motta) and the current Deputy Minister of Finance, Investment and Strategic Alliances for the Ministry of Popular Power for Electric Power (Lugo), their corruption directly contributed to the deterioration and failure of Venezuela’s electrical system.
The United States is taking this action to hold regime officials accountable for the misery they inflict upon the Venezuelan people.
Interim President Juan Guaido and the democratically-elected National Assembly are pursuing a peaceful and democratic path that offers Venezuelans a better future. The United States stands with them and the people of Venezuela as they demand democratic restoration and a return to economic prosperity and stability.
We will continue to use economic and diplomatic tools to support Venezuela’s ongoing democratic transition. U.S. sanctions need not be permanent and are intended to bring about a positive change of behavior.
