WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 06th March, 2019) The US government has renewed its declaration of a state of national emergency over the crisis in Venezuela and extended sanctions on the country's officials for another year, President Donald Trump announced in a presidential declaration sent to Congress on Tuesday.
"The situation in Venezuela continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Trump said. "For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13692 with respect to the situation in Venezuela."
The Executive Order, issued by President Barack Obama on March 8, 2015, imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials over human rights abuses and corruption. Trump's decision extends the measure for another year.
The confrontation between the United States and Venezuela escalated this year when on January 23, National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido - whose party only received 20 percent of the votes in the most recent parliamentary elections - declared himself to be acting president.
The United States immediately recognized Guaido, followed by US allies around the world. However, Russia China, Mexico, Turkey and several other countries continue to recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader. On January 24, Venezuela's military leadership confirmed its loyalty to President Maduro.
