Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, nephew of Cilia Flores, is the key figure in Miraflores right now. Photo Poderopedia
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced economic sanctions against several relatives close to the Flores-Malpica family, who are closely tied to Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle.
This action is part of a U.S. strategy aimed at dismantling the financial structures that support the Venezuelan regime, which are accused of facilitating corrupt activities and international influence networks.
The New Sanctioned Individuals
On December 11, 2025, OFAC designated Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, nephew of Cilia Flores (Maduro’s wife), due to his roles in transnational financial operations and his connections with the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA).
Following this, the U.S. agency expanded the list of blocked individuals to include: 
• Eloisa Flores de Malpica (Malpica Flores’ mother)
• Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba (father)
• Iriamni Malpica Flores (sister)
• Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Pérez (wife)
• Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado (adult daughter)
• Roberto Carretero Napolitano
• Vicente Luis Carretero Napolitano
(the last two are linked to the business network of Panamanian businessman Ramón Carretero). 
The designation by the Treasury means that: 
• All assets and properties of these individuals under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and subject to mandatory reporting.
• Transactions or services of any kind by individuals or companies under U.S. control are prohibited, unless expressly authorized.
• Entities owned by these individuals are also automatically affected.
Sanctions can lead to civil or criminal penalties for individuals both inside and outside the U.S. who violate OFAC regulations. 
The U.S. Treasury argues that those now sanctioned have exploited their family ties to power in Venezuela to facilitate corrupt practices and operations with the State, especially in sectors related to PDVSA and transnational finances. This action is part of enforcing executive orders aimed at dismantling networks that support regimes that Washington considers illegitimate and corrupt. 
This measure adds to an increasing series of punitive actions driven by the Treasury Department to pressure not only Maduro’s regime but also foreign intermediaries and facilitators that sustain power structures and sanction evasion in various regions.