A day after President Joe Biden previewed the sanctions, the Treasury Department said it was blocking any US assets and transactions with 10 current or former military officials who were responsible for the February 1 coup.
The targets are General Min Aung Hlaing, the new junta chief, who was already under the US sanctions over the brutal campaign against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.
The sanction also hit individuals, which were the military leaders named to a new cabinet such as Defense Minister General Mya Tun Oo.
“We are also prepared to take additional action should Burma’s military not change course,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, using Myanmar’s former name.
READ ALSO: Myanmar’s Military Pushes Harsher Tactics as Protests Enter Fifth Day
“If there is more violence against peaceful protesters, the Burmese military will find that today’s sanctions are just the first,” she said.
The junta has increasingly voiced the warning of ominous to the anti-coup protesters, deployed tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, with isolated reports of live rounds being fired.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, l renewed the calls on the military regime to hand over power, restore the civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, released all detained people over the coup and lift restrictions on communications.
“Today’s action sends a clear message of support to the people of Burma in their pursuit of democracy and human rights,” the Secretary of State said.
The Treasury Department also announced sanctions on three companies dealing in the key gem export of the country: Myanmar Ruby Enterprise, Myanmar Imperial Jade Co. and Cancri Co.
Noting that the designation of the three companies was because the military controls them.
On Wednesday, Biden remarks also said the United States was cutting off the Myanmar generals’ to $1 billion funds in the United States.
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