Treasury sanctions Venezuelan business to isolate Maduro

WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department is targeting four companies and nine ships operating in Venezuela’s oil sector as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to isolate President Nicolas Maduro (nee-koh-LAHS’ mah-DOO’-roh).

Treasury said in a statement its action Friday further targets Venezuela’s oil sector, which it says continues to provide a lifeline to Maduro’s “illegitimate regime.”

So far, the U.S. has revoked the visas of 718 of Maduro’s associates and has issued sanctions on more than 150 people and entities.

Despite the sanctions, Maduro clings to power with help from Russia, China and Cuba. The international coalition that supports the opposition stands at 54 nations, although some longtime U.S. allies have refused to join the Trump administration in recognizing the head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido (gwy-DOH’), as interim president.