Venezuelan official target in Maduro ouster bidBy The Manila Timeshome/News/World/Venezuelan official target in Maduro ouster bidWASHINGTON: The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s foreign minister, escalating its pressure campaign aimed at removing President Nicolas Maduro. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Arreaza a “Maduro lackey” and wrote on Twitter that he was hit with sanctions “for attempts to thwart the Venezuelan people’s democratic aspirations.”“But I know Venezuelans, they won’t be cowed. Under the sanctions, any US assets of Arreaza will be blocked and US citizens will be prohibited from any dealings with the top Venezuelan diplomat, including in property. Arreaza is the latest Venezuelan official to be targeted as President Donald Trump’s administration tries to install in power Juan Guaido, the opposition leader. The US “will continue to target corrupt Maduro insiders, including those tasked with conducting diplomacy and carrying out justice on behalf of this illegitimate regime,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Source: Manila Times April 27, 2019 16:52 UTC