The United States notified foreign financial institutions that they will face sanctions for their involvement in activities that have helped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has clung to power despite widespread calls for him to step down.
“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,” national security adviser John Bolton said in a statement on Wednesday. “We will not allow Maduro to steal the wealth of the Venezuelan people.”
The U.S. has made crystal clear its position on Maduro, implementing sanctions against members of his regime and emphasizing its support for Venezuelan interim president Juan Guaido. Guaido, who has been working from outside of the country to send aid into Venezuela, returned Monday after a 10-day absence.
“The United States strongly supports the democratic transition in Venezuela led by Interim President Juan Guaido and the National Assembly and is pursuing several new diplomatic and economic initiatives in support of that transition,” Bolton said.
As of now, U.S. military action against Maduro is possible. Last week, when asked whether the U.S. would consider military intervention, Vice President Mike Pence said “all options are on the table.”
