Trump Turns Sanctions Against Venezuela Into an Embargo

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on assets of the Venezuelan government, according to an executive order published on Monday.

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“All property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela that are in the United States ... are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in,” the executive order says.

The Trump administration has been ramping up pressure on Caracas in a bid to illegally oust President Nicolas Maduro from power.

But China and Russia have continued to back Nicolas Maduro, prompting U.S. national security adviser John Bolton to warn the two countries on Monday against doubling down in their support for him.

Venezuela's government has called previous sanctions unlawful while also condemning the illegal seizure of assets, such as those belonging to Citgo.