The Trump administration decreed sanctions against Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami on Monday, accusing him of playing a major role in international drug trafficking. El Aissami is the most senior Venezuelan official to ever be targeted by the U.S. There was no immediate reaction from El Aissami, but he has long denied any criminal ties. Since El Aissami became vice president, Maduro has handed him control of an "anti-coup commando unit" to go after officials and opponents suspected of treason. A former Obama administration official said the decision to sanction El Aissami was months in the making and involved several U.S. federal agencies.

Source: Fox News February 13, 2017 23:04 UTC