Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the United States would not hesitate to take further action ‘against those who commit violence and suppress the will of the people’
People protest the recent military coup in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday. © 2021 The New York Times
Washington: The United States on Monday announced sanctions against two other Burmese junta leaders and warned of new measures as hundreds of thousands defiantly rallied for the restoration of democracy in the country.
The United States has said it is blocking all American property and suspending the entry into the country of two members of the new State Administrative Council: General Maung Maung Kyaw, who commands the Air Force, and the Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun.
“We will not hesitate to take further action against those who commit violence and suppress the will of the people. We will not waver in our support for the Burmese people,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, using the old name of Myanmar.
“We call on the military and police to stop all attacks on peaceful protesters, immediately release all those wrongfully detained, end the attacks and intimidation of journalists and activists, and restore the democratically elected government “, he said in a statement.
The announcement comes hours after the European Union also approved sanctions against the Myanmar military, stepping up international pressure on the February 1 coup in which the generals toppled democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi .
The junta has warned it is ready to use deadly force to crush growing protests after protesters were gunned down over the weekend.
The United States has already imposed sanctions on other figures, including General Min Aung Hlaing, military leader and new leader of the country.
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