U.S. slaps additional sanctions on Venezuela oil companies, vessels

The U.S. Treasury on Friday blacklisted Venezuela-related companies and vessels in a fresh round of sanctions to mount pressure on the Maduro government.

The two companies operated in Venezuela's oil sector were accused of shipping oil to Cuba, according to a statement released by the Treasury. One vessel owned by one of the companies was also designated.

Meanwhile, the Treasury also designated 34 vessels that belonged to Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), a Venezuelan state-owned oil company that was added to America's blacklist in January.

As a result of the sanctions, all property of those entities would be blocked in the United States.

"Cuba has been an underlying force fueling Venezuela's descent into crisis," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

The U.S. has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido. The Trump administration recognized Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on January 23, days after incumbent President Nicholas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks during a gathering of supporters in Caracas, April 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Since late February, Guaido has met with leaders of Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador and the U.S., ignoring a travel ban on him imposed by Venezuela's Supreme Court. He returned to the country on March 4, and has since attended rallies calling for people to protest against the Maduro government.

On Tuesday, the Venezuelan government stripped Guaido of his parliamentary immunity, paving the way for an arrest. Three days later, Guaido was seen addressing a crowd of supporters in Caracas, saying the country is going through "a difficult transition."

The regional bloc Lima Group consisting of most South American states, Mexico and Canada, has expressed its "support for a process of peaceful transition through political and diplomatic means without the use of force."

Last week, Russia sent two military planes carrying 100 personnel to Venezuela's capital Caracas. The Russian government claimed they were sent to do maintenance work on military equipment the country supplied to Venezuela several years ago.

(CGTN)