On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department announced that it revoked visas from some Venezuelan government officials who seem to have violated human rights.

"Venezuela in recent months has witnessed large-scale protests by demonstrators concerned about deteriorating economic, social, and political conditions," the State Department said in a statement according to EFE. "Government security forces have responded to these protests in many instances with arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force."

The names of the officials have not been released. According to various media reports cited by EFE, however, the officials include politicians and senior military and police commanders.

"While we will not publicly identify these individuals because of visa record confidentiality, our message is clear: those who commit such abuses will not be welcome in the United States," Marie Harf, State Department deputy spokeswoman, said in a statement. "With this step we underscore our commitment to holding accountable individuals who commit human rights abuses."

Since protests against the Venezuelan government began in mid-February, 40 people have died and over 800 have been injured. According to protestors, President Nicolás Maduro's administration is responsible for the violence, which reportedly includes torture and killings.

As a result, some Congress members have called for economic sanctions against Venezuela.

"The U.S. government should use every tool at our disposal to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its human rights violations," Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement, Fox News Latino reports. "The Obama Administration has taken an important first step by announcing visa bans that would restrict the travel of human rights violators and their families to the U.S. This action should be followed up with asset freezes as well."

Rubio, as well as democrats New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez and Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, have passed a bill proposing additional sanctions.

"... the sanctions bill I've introduced with Senators Menendez and Nelson remains the most comprehensive plan that exists in the Senate to punish human rights violators and support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people," Rubio said. "... I hope the Senate soon passes legislation that deals with the situation in Venezuela in a more complete manner, and I will continue pressing the administration to do more."
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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