The Simon Bolivar Foundation has been forced to scrap a project that took Venezuelan cancer sufferers abroad for treatment. AFP
The Simon Bolivar Foundation has been forced to scrap a project that took Venezuelan cancer sufferers abroad for treatment. AFP
The Simon Bolivar Foundation has been forced to scrap a project that took Venezuelan cancer sufferers abroad for treatment. AFP
The Simon Bolivar Foundation has been forced to scrap a project that took Venezuelan cancer sufferers abroad for treatment. AFP

Venezuelan cancer sufferers are dying as a result of US sanctions, UN says


James Reinl
  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of Venezuelan cancer sufferers, including children, could die because US sanctions are blocking their access to medical treatment overseas, UN experts have said.

Alena Douhan, a sanctions expert, and other UN investigators, said US financial curbs on Venezuela and its state-owned oil company Petroleum of Venezuela (PDVSA) have effectively ruined a much-needed treatment programme.

The Simon Bolivar Foundation, the charity arm of US-based Citgo Petroleum Corporation, which is majority owned by PDVSA, has been forced to scrap a project that took Venezuelan cancer sufferers abroad for treatment not available in their homeland.

“Targeting PDVSA as a way to control the political agenda of Venezuela has had devastating consequences for hundreds of people undergoing treatment for transplant rejection, in Venezuela and abroad,” the experts said.

“People on a state waiting list for transplants have also been informed that their treatments will not continue.”

The US sanctioned Venezuela’s state oil company in early 2019 over allegations that President Nicolas Maduro had rigged his re-election in 2018. Various other sanctions have been imposed on the country over the past 15 years.

Still, US sanctions and diplomatic pressure have had little effect. Mr Maduro’s allies, who deny election rigging, said they will not hold presidential elections before 2024.

Ms Douhan says US sanctions have had a devastating effect on the country.

Foreign governments, banks and private companies have been cautious in dealings with Venezuela for fear of reprisals from US regulators and have blocked financial transactions with the Opec nation, she said.

As a result, the experts said some Venezuelan cancer patients are unable to access funds needed for foreign medical trips, while some have been stranded overseas after travelling for treatment.

“A trip abroad for treatment has become the only hope for hundreds of critically ill patients,” the experts said.

“The lives of Venezuelan transplant patients who are stranded in foreign countries, as well as those waiting to travel abroad for life-saving operations, are under threat.”

The experts said they had contacted the US government about the problem and urged Washington to “mitigate the unexpected consequences of sanctions” so patients could access chemotherapy and other treatments.

The US State Department and the Treasury did not immediately reply to The National’s request for comment.

The US has faced mounting criticism for its overuse of sanctions and the collateral economic damage they cause. The administration of US President Joe Biden is reviewing its punitive sanctions policy and is expected to make changes at the end of the summer.

Ms Douhan made the statement along with Nils Melzer, Obiora Okafor, Livingstone Sewanyana, Saad Alfarargi and Tlaleng Mofokeng, who are all part of the UN’s human rights apparatus.

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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Updated: July 22, 2021, 3:30 PM`