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President Obama has signed legislation that freezes assets and revokes travel visas belonging to Venezuelan officials who stand accused of violating the human rights of opponents of the South American nation’s socialist government.

Last summer, the State Department imposed a travel ban on Venezuelan officials who were regarded as responsible for the deaths of dozens of people who were participating in street protests.

Venezuelan officials criticized the legislation as it moved through the U.S. Congress.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

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