President Barack Obama imposed targeted sanctions on specific Venezuelan individuals in response to human rights violations and corruption, acting under the authority of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 and an Executive Order. These actions were carried out through established legal and executive processes within the U.S. government, not illegally.
Regarding food stamps, the Obama administration did not implement cuts; instead, it oversaw some of the highest participation rates and spending levels in the program's history, especially in the wake of the Great Recession.
U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela
Legal Basis: The sanctions were primarily based on U.S. domestic law, specifically the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014, which Congress passed with bipartisan support. This law mandated the President to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for significant acts of violence or human rights abuses.
Executive Action: President Obama issued Executive Order 13692 in March 2015 to implement this law, declaring Venezuela a "threat to U.S. national security" to provide the legal framework for targeted sanctions. The sanctions targeted specific individuals, such as high-ranking security officials, not the general economy.
Legality: The use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool is a power granted to the U.S. President by Congress and is a long-standing practice in U.S. law. While Venezuelan officials described the U.S. sanctions as "madness" and in "absolute contradiction to international law," U.S. domestic and international legal experts generally consider them legal under U.S. and international frameworks, even if their effectiveness and impact are debated.
Food Stamp Program (SNAP)
No Cuts: The Obama administration did not cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
Increased Participation: The number of SNAP beneficiaries actually grew significantly during the Obama presidency, primarily due to the severe economic downturn (the Great Recession) that began in late 2007 and extended into his term. As the economy recovered, participation rates naturally began to decline.
Policy: The administration generally supported and expanded access to the program to help alleviate poverty and hunger during difficult economic times. Any subsequent changes or proposed cuts to the program were typically associated with the following Trump and current administrations.
