Financial tools for US policy toward Nicaragua and Venezuela: A conversation with Treasury Assistant Secretary Marshall Billingslea

The U.S. government has expanded its use of financial tools in its strategy to address national security and foreign policy concerns, including human rights abuses and corruption carried out by the governments in Venezuela and Nicaragua. These financial tools, along with diplomatic efforts, can help put pressure on key foreign officials and their supporters to change their behavior. What role do these financial tools and other sanctions play in supporting the efforts in Venezuela and Nicaragua to restore democracy and hold those responsible for human rights abuses and corruption to account?

The Project on International Order and Strategy hosted Marshall Billingslea, assistant secretary of the Treasury for terrorist financing, to address how the Treasury Department’s financial tools fit into the larger strategy to address the crises in Nicaragua and Venezuela. After his remarks, he participated in a discussion with Brookings Senior Fellows Ted Piccone and Suzanne Maloney on the effectiveness of the U.S. approach to tackling human rights abuses and corruption before taking audience questions.