In a significant move against corruption in Venezuela, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned several family members and associates of the Maduro-Flores family. This action aims to dismantle the underlying narco-corruption structure that supports the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro.
Today’s sanctions specifically target the familial networks of two key figures: Carlos Erik Malpica Flores and Ramon Carretero Napolitano. Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, emphasized the importance of these sanctions, stating, “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.”
Bessent further asserted that the Trump Administration is committed to dismantling the networks that sustain Maduro’s illegitimate dictatorship, which poses a threat to peace and stability in the hemisphere.
On December 11, 2025, OFAC sanctioned Malpica Flores, who is notably a nephew of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores. This action was taken under Executive Order (E.O.) 13692 due to his status as a current or former official of the Government of Venezuela. Malpica Flores has been implicated in multiple instances of corruption, particularly linked to Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA).
Today, OFAC has designated the following individuals as immediate family members of Malpica Flores. These sanctions are in accordance with E.O. 13850, which targets individuals complicit in deceptive practices or corruption involving the Government of Venezuela:
Eloisa Flores de Malpica - Malpica Flores’s mother and sister of Cilia FloresCarlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba - His fatherIriamni Malpica Flores - His sisterDamaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez - His wifeErica Patricia Malpica Hurtado - His adult daughterFurthermore, today’s actions expand upon the December 11, 2025, designation of Ramon Carretero, a Panamanian businessman known for his extensive transactions with the Maduro regime. The following individuals have also been designated under E.O. 13850 for being immediate family members of Ramon Carretero:
Roberto Carretero NapolitanoVicente Luis Carretero NapolitanoAs a consequence of these sanctions, all property and interests held by the designated individuals in the United States, or under the control of U.S. persons, are now blocked. U.S. individuals are required to report any dealings with these designated individuals to OFAC. Additionally, any entities that are owned at 50% or more by one or more blocked persons are also subject to these sanctions.
U.S. persons or transactions within the U.S. that involve any property associated with blocked individuals are prohibited unless authorized by a specific license from OFAC. Violations of these sanctions can lead to significant civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign individuals. OFAC may impose civil penalties on a strict liability basis, emphasizing the importance of compliance.
Furthermore, financial institutions and other entities may face exposure to sanctions if they engage in transactions involving designated or blocked persons. The regulations prohibit any contributions or provisions of funds, goods, or services to or from any blocked individuals.
The effectiveness of OFAC sanctions relies not only on the ability to designate individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) but also on the agency’s willingness to remove individuals from the list when appropriate. The ultimate objective of these sanctions is not merely punitive; rather, they aim to foster positive behavioral changes among the targeted individuals.
For further information on the individuals designated today or to learn more about the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, please refer to OFAC’s guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.