Bolton threatens sanctions against foreign financial institutions helping Maduro gov't

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday that the United States would impose sanctions on foreign financial institutions that benefit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his administration.

"The United States is putting foreign financial institutions on notice that they will face sanctions for being involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that benefit Nicolas Maduro and his corrupt network," Bolton said in a statement.

In an interview with FOX Business Network on Tuesday, Bolton disclosed that Washington would be "looking at new sanctions, new measures to tighten our grip on Maduro's financial wherewithal, to deny his regime the money that they need to stay in power."

Also on Tuesday, U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said during a press briefing that there was "clearly a possibility" for the United States to impose secondary sanctions against non-U.S. citizens or entities tied to the Maduro government.

The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of the opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The Trump administration recognized Guaido as Venezuela's "interim president" on Jan. 23, days after Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as Venezuelan president.

Maduro, in response, cut diplomatic and political ties with the United States.