The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on several family members and associates linked to the Maduro-Flores family, in a move aimed at disrupting networks supporting the government of Nicolás Maduro. This action is part of ongoing efforts to address what U.S. officials describe as narco-corruption within Venezuela’s leadership.
“Today, Treasury sanctioned individuals who are propping up Nicolás Maduro’s rogue narco-state. We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Maduro and his criminal accomplices threaten our hemisphere’s peace and stability. The Trump Administration will continue targeting the networks that prop up his illegitimate dictatorship.”
On December 11, 2025, OFAC sanctioned Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, nephew of Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores, under Executive Order 13692 for serving as an official in the Venezuelan government. Malpica Flores has been associated with corruption at Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the country’s state-run oil company.
The latest round of sanctions designates immediate adult family members of Malpica Flores under Executive Order 13850: Eloisa Flores de Malpica (his mother and sister of Cilia Flores), Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba (his father), Iriamni Malpica Flores (his sister), Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez (his wife), and Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado (his adult daughter).
OFAC also designated Roberto Carretero Napolitano and Vicente Luis Carretero Napolitano as immediate family members of Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero, who was previously sanctioned for transactions involving deceptive practices or corruption with the Venezuelan government. Ramon Carretero has had extensive dealings with both the Maduro regime and the Malpica Flores family.
As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property belonging to these individuals that are located in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also subject to these restrictions. Unless authorized by OFAC, U.S. regulations prohibit transactions involving any property or interests in property belonging to blocked individuals.
Violations of these sanctions can lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties on a strict liability basis for violations, according to its Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines. Financial institutions engaging in certain transactions with designated individuals may risk additional exposure to sanctions.
OFAC stated that its authority includes not only adding names to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List but also removing them when warranted under law. The agency emphasized that “the ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.” Information on how individuals can seek removal from an OFAC list is available through official guidance on filing petitions for removal.
For further details about today’s designated persons, more information is available on the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.
