", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He added: âCongress has already given the executive branch the authority it actually needs to swiftly apply even more sanctions to the military.â. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Anti-coup protesters display pictures of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. In addition to sanctions, Biden imposed other financial penalties, immediately redirecting $42.4 million of U.S. assistance to the country that benefited the government. Myanmar nationals living in Thailand hold candle light during protest in front of Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. US hits Myanmar with sanctions, aid cuts, export bans in bid to reverse military coup. The coup has spurred bipartisan agreement in the US, with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying he hoped even more sanctions would be imposed against the armed forces, also known as the Tatmadaw. The United States has designated the military takeover in Myanmar as a coup, the US State Department said on Tuesday, a move that triggers restrictions on US assistance to the country and could pave the way for sanctions. The U.S. is implementing its first penalties against Myanmar's military leaders after declaring their overthrow of the democratically elected government last week a coup d'état. The executive order will prevent Myanmar’s generals from accessing US $1 billion in assets in the US while keeping support for health … US politics. Washington has urged the leaders of Myanmar's new military regime to refrain from violence and relinquish power, after the death of a young anti-coup protester sparked new anger against the junta. Police in Myanmar have dispersed protests against the coup with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly a decade ago, the United States was touting Myanmar as an American success story. U.S. leverage may be limited with generals who've defied pressure for decades. Action from regional powers like Singapore, Indonesia and Japan, however, would have more teeth, given their closer economic ties to Myanmar. A US State Department official, speaking to reporters during a background briefing earlier on Tuesday, said Washington would maintain humanitarian programmes in Myanmar, including for Rohingya, but will also âundertake a broader review of our assistanceâ to the country. 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Key to that, Biden and his top advisers have said, is working with "like-minded allies and partners," but Thursday's actions were taken alone, and some analysts say the U.S. penalties are likely to have little effect on Myanmar's military leaders who have defied external pressure for decades, especially without other countries' involvement so far. Some exports will be permitted if they receive a license, but the agency is also reviewing additional restrictions, it said, including a ban on U.S. "military end use" and "military intelligence end use" equipment and technology. The official also said Washington has not been in direct contact with the coup leaders in Myanmar or the deposed civilian government leaders. WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday (Feb 24) led criticism of Malaysia for deporting more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their military-ruled nation in … Rest of World News: The United States threatened to reimpose sanctions on Myanmar's generals after they seized power in a coup and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Ky Both men are already under U.S. sanctions for their roles in the military's attacks on the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority that the United Nations has said the military tried to exterminate in August 2017 through genocide after decades of oppression. Myanmar declared martial law in parts of the country, including its two largest cities, as massive protests continued to draw people to the streets a week after the country's military junta staged a coup. âAs President Biden has said, we will take action against those responsible, including through a careful review of our current sanctions posture as it relates to Burmaâs military leaders and companies associated with them,â the official said. âThe United States is deeply concerned by the Burmese militaryâs detention of civilian government leaders, including State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and civil society leaders,â Price said. The Catholic Bishops of the United States have expressed their solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their protests “calling for a return to democracy”. ABC News’ Ian Pannell reports on the nationwide protests taking place in Myanmar in the week since the military detained the country’s democratically-elected leader. MORE: Biden authorizes sanctions on Myanmar over 'coup', MORE: Biden admin designates Myanmar military's takeover a coup d'état, triggering aid freeze. The value of the Myanmar jade trade is estimated to be as high as US$31 billion (S$41 billion) -- nearly half of Myanmar's official GDP of US$69 billion (S$91 billion). Aung San Suu Kyiâs National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in the countryâs November 8 election, but the army, which is guaranteed a quarter of the seats in parliament and has a proxy party, cried foul. Under US law, Washington will now be forbidden from providing assistance to Myanmarâs government. Instead, those funds will be used to "support and strengthen civil society," acting USAID administrator Gloria Steele announced. But his response has also become a signal to other governments that may be watching closely as the new president faces his first foreign policy crisis. People in Myanmar take to streets to protest the military coup. But while the leaders of neighbors Indonesia and Malaysia have urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to meet urgently, according to The Associated Press, the alliance is unlikely to because Myanmar, itself a member, could block a special session and insist the group respect its principle of non-interference. Beyond these 10 men, the U.S. also has frozen the assets of three businesses that are controlled by the military. The US government is urging Myanmar’s military to stop the violence against coup protesters and step down, after the death of a young woman. The Treasury also sanctioned Myint Swe, the country's first vice president, and three other lieutenant generals who were part of the coup and four military leaders who were named to cabinet positions in the junta's new government. WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States on Thursday (March 4) unveiled new measures to punish Myanmar's army for its Feb 1 coup, adding the country's ministries of … YANGON — Washington has urged the leaders of Myanmar's new military regime to refrain from violence and relinquish power, after the death of a young anti-coup protester sparked new anger against the junta.. Much of the country has been in uproar since troops deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, with large street demonstrations in both urban centers and isolated villages. Following the report that at least 18 people were killed and … Biden had announced on Wednesday that he approved an executive order, but he didn't sign the document until Thursday morning. The US contributed $1.5bn to Myanmar since 2012 to support democracy, internal peace and violence-hit communities, according to the State Department. Under US law, Washington will now be forbidden from providing assistance to Myanmar’s government. The militaryâs takeover has been condemned by the UN and international organisations, with close attention being paid to how China, Myanmarâs largest trading partner, will respond. “There was a risk that the Burmese generals were playing us,” Clinton wrote about the 2010-11 rapprochement with Myanmar in “Hard Choices.” That … Biden announced Wednesday that the U.S. also would freeze $1 billion of the military's assets that are held in the U.S. -- a move that could have more bite. U.S. leverage may be limited with generals who've defied pressure for decades. Myanmar citizens can now apply for a combined B-1/B-2 visa, which allows travel to the US for both business and/or tourism purposes, the US Embassy in Myanmar announced Monday. Protesters against the military coup won’t be helped by threats. According to the Foreign Ministry, Japan extended massive official development assistance to Myanmar totalling about 190 billion yen (US$1.8 billion) in … âWeâre going to work expeditiously to determine the implications for Burmaâs military leaders, and for their actions here, but there is a small sliver of that foreign assistance that will actually be implicated,â he said. But Price said of the $135m in bilateral assistance provided to Myanmar … "The severity of the military's response to the protests could trigger greater international opposition to the coup, but the United States will have its work cut out for it in coordinating a united international response. The US continues to stand with the people of Burma as they voice their aspirations for peace and democracy and it calls on the military to stop violence, release all those unjustly detained and cease attacks on journalists and activists, according to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Sunday (local time). State Department spokesperson Ned Price told ABC News on Wednesday that the U.S. and its partners would be "collectively rolling out" steps to "impose steep and profound costs on those responsible for this coup," and Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to his Singaporean and Japanese counterparts this week about Myanmar, briefing them in advance of Biden's action, Price said. The assessment comes a day after US President Joe Biden condemned the militaryâs removal of Myanmarâs civilian-led government and the detention of the countryâs elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other officials. With financial sanctions on 10 leaders and three military-owned businesses, re-imposed restrictions on U.S. exports, and the diversion of over $42 million of U.S. assistance, President Joe Biden hopes to send a strong signal to the military to reverse course. If there is more violence against peaceful protesters, the Burmese military will find that today's sanctions are just the first," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. People gather outside the Chinese Embassy as they protest against the military coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon, Myanmar, February 11, 2021. âAfter a review of all the facts, we have assessed that the Burmese military actions on February 1, having deposed the duly elected head of government, constituted a military coup dâetat,â State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a Tuesday afternoon briefing, using Myanmarâs former name. But Price said of the $135m in bilateral assistance provided to Myanmar in the 2020 fiscal year, only âa very small portionâ goes directly to the government. In a statement late Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the United States is “alarmed” by the reports. China has said that it ânotedâ the coup. The military announced Monday that it will take power for one year, accusing Suu Kyi's government of not investigating allegations of … Protesters lies on the ground, Feb. 11, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. The Obama administration reveled in the restoration of civilian rule in … Washington: The US government is preparing “additional actions” in coming days against those responsible for the violent crackdown and military coup in Myanmar, US … For Myanmar's generals, Asia's reluctance to join in US-led sanctions or even cut them out of meetings effectively offers a diplomatic lifeline as they struggle to gain control of the country. It also said its actions were justified under the 2008 constitution, which was written by the armed forces. WASHINGTON – Nearly a decade ago, the United States was touting Myanmar as an American success story. The latest breaking news, ... Biden: US will sanction Myanmar military leaders and family members. The recommendation comes as the US, along with Britain, Australia, and Japan, commit to issuing sanctions against the military regime in an effort to support the toppled democracy.. Last November saw a landslide democratic, electoral victory … "We are also prepared to take additional action should Burma's military not change course. President Joe Biden visits the Pentagon with Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, Feb. 10, 2021, in Arlington, Va. The military has claimed its takeover is a response to election fraud, although there has been no evidence of wrongdoing. WASHINGTON: The US government is preparing "additional actions" in coming days against those responsible for the violent crackdown and military coup in Myanmar, US … UK Politics. US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order to impose sanctions on the leaders of Myanmar's coup. The United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday said that the country is “preparing new measures” against the Myanmar military over the violence during recent anti-coup demontsrations. The single-entry visa is valid for three months and there is no issuance fee. Shortly after, the Treasury announced it was sanctioning 10 military commanders, including commander-in-chief and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, as well as his deputy, Soe Win. US President Joe Biden is issuing sanctions against Myanmar’s military regime after it staged a coup which saw the country’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi placed under arrest along with other senior members of the National League for Democracy.. The designation triggers restrictions on US assistance to Myanmar and could pave the way for sanctions. Lender says it had a $900m exposure to Myanmar in 2020 and that it remains committed to a transition to democracy. But three companies are just a small portion of the military's deep reach into Myanmar's economy, with a recent report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights detailing over 130 businesses that are owned, controlled or closely affiliated with the military's two main conglomerates. Protesters shout slogans in front of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) office, Feb. 11, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. Still, the swift action, just 10 days after the U.S. State Department's "coup" declaration, signals to the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, that the international community is watching, as thousands took to the streets again Thursday in sustained protests. As the democratically elected leader of Myanmar, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still in detention following the military takeover that triggered country-wide protests, violence and arrests, the UN envoy for the country observed on Friday, declaring that … Mixed reactions to coup among refugees in sprawling Bangladesh camps amid concerns over their repatriation to Myanmar. "With its limited leverage, U.S. sanctions are unlikely to substantially alter the coup leaders' calculus or impose enough costs to restore democratic rule," said Lucas Myers of the Wilson Institute, a U.S. think tank in Washington. Myanmar Crackdown on Protests, Widely Filmed, Sparks Outrage Footage of a brutal crackdown on protests against a coup in Myanmar has unleashed outrage and calls for a stronger international response. On Monday, Biden said US sanctions that had been removed during Myanmarâs decade-long transition towards civilian rule were being reviewed and âappropriate action could be takenâ. US on Thursday asked the military in Myanmar to immediately release the detained journalists and protesters as it steeped up the condemnation against the human rights violation in the Southeast Asian country. Police in Myanmar repeatedly used tear gas and rubber bullets Tuesday against crowds protesting last month's coup, but the demonstrators regrouped after each volley and tried to defend themselves with barricades as standoffs between protesters and security … Biden orders sanctions against Myanmar after military coup. Stay on top of Myanmar latest developments on the ground with Al Jazeera’s fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated maps. The Commerce Department also said it has re-imposed export restrictions on U.S. products to Myanmar's military, security forces and ministries of defense and home affairs. It's unclear what U.S.-based assets these companies would have, but this will also tighten their access to other markets as banks and institutions in closer economic partners like Japan and Singapore seek to avoid U.S. sanctions.