US imposes sanctions on Chinese firm over alleged role in Venezuela internet crackdown

Amid growing differences between United States and China, former has once again slapped sanctions on a Chinese firm China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC) for curbing Venezuela's internet services. US also accused China of supporting President Nicolas Muro's efforts to undermine democracy in Venezuela.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, while declaring sanctions, said that Chinese firm provides cyber support and technical experts to state-run telecommunications providers that regularly block online automous newspapers and speeches by opposition members.

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US sanctions CEIEC for supporting illegitimate Muro regime

"Today, United States is sanctioning CEIEC for supporting illegitimate Muro regime's efforts to undermine democracy in Venezuela. se efforts include restricting internet service and conducting digital surveillance against political opponents of regime. CEIEC has provided software, training, and technical expertise to regime's entities," Pompeo said in a statement.

ding furr, Pompeo said that firm also provides cyber support and technical experts to state-run telecommunications provider Venezuelan National Telephone Company, CANTV.  telecom firm controls 70 percent of internet service in Venezuela and frequently blocks online independent newspapers and speeches by opposition members, he ded.

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CEIEC helping Muro regime?

Moreover, US Department of Treasury alleged that since 2017 CEIEC has been helping Muro regime's malicious cyber efforts. It provides technical expertise to Venezuelan government entities against people of country,  Treasury Department ded.

" illegitimate Muro regime's reliance on entities like CEIEC to vance its authoritarian nda furr illustrates regime's prioritization of power over democratic values and processes," said US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

Treasury Department, in a statement, said that n-democratic governments use Beijing exported techlogies such as those CEIEC has provided to suppress political dissent within ir own borders. CEIEC has been assisting Muro regime's malicious cyber efforts since 2017 and has provided software, technical expertise and training to Venezuela government entities, which was n used against people of Venezuela, statement ded.

US authorities maintained Muro regime has frequently shown its willingness to suppress its citizens' democratic rights and intimidate m from expressing ir political views. Meanwhile, suite of software and hardware that CEIEC provided Venezuela is a commercialised version of China's Great Firewall - a nationwide system of web blocks and filters, used to maintain strict online censorship, statement said.

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(With ANI inputs)