Venezuela's institutions should support opposition leader Juan Guaido in order receive sanctions relief from the United States, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release on Tuesday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 30th April, 2019) Venezuela's institutions should support opposition leader Juan Guaido in order receive sanctions relief from the United States, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release on Tuesday."The path to sanctions relief for individuals and entities aligned with the former Maduro regime, including institutions such as PdVSA, is to change behavior by supporting Venezuela's democratically elected leader and those who seek to restore democracy," the release said.
Washington has targeted Venezuelan officials and businesses with multiple sanctions in recent months amid a campaign to force President Nicolas Maduro from power.
"The United States and our partners and allies stand ready to leverage the tools of the international financial community to help swiftly restart Venezuela's economy. This Administration will continue to hold accountable those who stand in the way of restoring democracy to Venezuela," the Treasury added.
Earlier on Monday, Guaido urged Venezuelan civilians and armed forces to take to the streets to help force Maduro out of office. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in response that the country's armed forces "firmly support the national constitution and legitimate authorities."
The situation in Venezuela has been tense since January, when US-backed opposition leader Guaido illegally declared himself the country's interim president after disputing Maduro's re-election.
The United States and 54 countries have recognized Guaido. However, Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have said they recognize Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.
Maduro has called Guaido a puppet of the United States and accused Washington of trying to orchestrate a coup to effect a change in government and take over Venezuela's natural resources.
