Trump orders freeze on all Venezuelan govt assets in US

[WASHINGTON] President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States and barred transactions with its authorities, in Washington's latest move against President Nicolas Maduro.

Mr Trump took the step "in light of the continued usurpation of power by Nicolas Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses," according to the order.

The Wall Street Journal said the move was the first such against a Western Hemisphere government in over 30 years, and imposes restrictions on Caracas similar to those faced by North Korea, Iran, Syria and Cuba.

Asked last week if he was considering a "blockade or quarantine" of Venezuela, Mr Trump responded: "Yes, I am."

The order affects "all property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person."

These assets "are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in," the order said.

The measure also bars transactions with Venezuelan authorities whose assets are blocked.

It prohibits "the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order," as well as "the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person."

STALLED EFFORTS TO OUST MADURO

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president earlier this year in a bid to oust Mr Maduro that was backed by the United States and dozens of other countries.

But Mr Guaido's efforts have stalled despite the international support and widespread discontent with Mr Maduro, who has been able to cling to power with the backing of the country's security forces.

Mr Guaido has tried to keep hope alive, encouraging Venezuelans weary after years of crisis not to give up.

Despite the loss of momentum, Mr Guaido - the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly - remains the greatest threat to Mr Maduro, even though the body has been effectively rendered powerless by Caracas.

The oil-rich, cash-poor country has been in a deep recession for five years. Shortages of food and medicine are frequent, and public services are progressively failing.

Around a quarter of Venezuela's 30 million-strong population is in need of aid, according to the United Nations, while 3.3 million people have left the country since the start of 2016.

The International Monetary Fund says inflation will hit a staggering one million per cent this year while the economy - already in recession for five years - will shrink by 35 per cent.

AFP