Washington, Shawwal 3, 1435, Jul 30, 2014, SPA -- The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday new travel restrictions against Venezuelan officials believed to have committed human rights abuses during a crackdown on anti-government protestors. The move "underscores our commitment to holding accountable individuals who commit human rights abuses," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement. In announcing the visa restrictions, the department cited the months-long street protest movement that left dozens of people dead. It said that the Venezuelan government had responded in many instances with "arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force." The State Department declined to publicly identify officials who will be subject to the travel ban, citing confidentiality rules surrounding visa processing. Harf said that the department is emphasizing that the action taken Wednesday is "specific and targeted." The action, the department said, is "directed at individuals responsible for human rights violations and not at the Venezuelan nation or its people." --SPA 22:18 LOCAL TIME 19:18 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w