The sanctions freeze any assets in the United States and penalise US financial dealings with the officials. The United States also revoked the visas of 49 Venezuelan officials and their family members, the State Department said. Mr Guaido has said 300,000 people could die without an influx of aid into Venezuela. Lavrov voiced hope that international pressure would "cool hotheads in Washington" who he said are seeking military intervention in Venezuela. He alleged that the United States was planning to buy small arms, mortar launchers and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles from an "Eastern European country" and station them "close to Venezuela."

Source: Daily Nation March 02, 2019 02:48 UTC