U.S. Sanctions

Democrats pressure Biden to review U.S. sanctions on Venezuela

By Joshua Goodman, Associated Press

The request by Sen. Chris Murphy in a letter Tuesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken adds to pressure from some Democrats and aid workers who argue that U.S. sanctions are worsening the South American country's dire humanitarian crisis.

Biden orders sanctions against Myanmar after military coup

By Aamer Madhani, Jonathan Lemire, Associated Press

Biden says he is issuing an executive order that will prevent Myanmar's generals from accessing $1 billion in assets in the United States. He says more measures are to come.

U.S. says Myanmar takeover was coup, promises sanction review

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

The military power grab poses a challenge for the two-week-old Biden administration, which says it wants to support wobbly democracy movements globally — but also wants to avoid driving countries like Myanmar toward China.

Biden administration suspends some sanctions on Yemen rebels

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The move follows harsh criticism of Pompeo's designation of the Iran-backed Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization" by the U.N. and relief organizations.

Trump in final parting shot hits Venezuela with sanctions

By Scott Smith, Joshua Goodman, Associated Press

Trump leaves office Wednesday, but he's led an international coalition over two years aimed at pressuring Maduro from power. The U.S. backs his leading opponent, Juan Guaidó.

U.S. imposes new sanctions on Beijing over South China Sea violations

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The penalties are yet another Trump administration move that may make President-elect Joe Biden's diplomacy with China more difficult when he takes office next week.

Trump hits Cuba with new sanctions in waning days

By Matthew Lee, Joshua Goodman, Associated Press

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the step on Monday, citing in particular Cuba's continued harboring of U.S. fugitives as well as its support for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. adds more sanctions on Syria, targeting President Assad’s in-laws

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the United States is intent on "holding accountable the Assad regime for the atrocities it has committed against its own people."…

Iran says U.S. sanctions hinder access to COVID-19 vaccines

By Nasser Karimi, Associated Press

While the U.S. insists that medicines and humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions, restrictions on trade have made many banks and companies across the world hesitant.

Cuba says U.S. sanctions have caused nearly $5.6 billion in losses

By Andrea Rodriguez, Associated Press

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez on Thursday decried what he said is a growing number of sanctions suffocating the island, a topic that is on the agenda for next year's U.N. General Assembly session.