Four Venezuelan generals placed on US sanctions blacklist

WASHINGTON: The US Treasury placed four serving or retired Venezuelan generals on its sanctions blacklist late on Friday, raising pressure on the embattled government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The Treasury Department alleged that the four were either involved in repressing protesters or tied up in major corruption schemes.

Washington has already targeted Maduro himself for sanctions, and is a long-standing opponent of what it sees as his increasingly authoritarian regime.

In a televised address late on Friday Maduro said the Trump administration had "exhausted his patience."

"My patience is at the limit with the imperialist government of Donald Trump. I am not going to accept any more from this aggressive government."

The leader authorized Venezuela’s military to respond in writing "with forcefulness" to what he characterized as "blackmail" from the White House.

Falling oil prices, political unrest, and corruption have decimated the country’s economy and led to deadly protests under Maduro.

The new sanctions "highlight that corruption and repression continue to flourish under the Maduro regime, both by those in current government positions and former officials who continue to benefit from a corrupt system," the Treasury said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said in a Twitter post following the US announcement that Caracas’ military would never kowtow to Washington.

The army "will never bow to any foreign power, much less to the imperialist and warlike forces of Donald Trump’s supremacist government. We demand respect," Arreaza wrote.

Delcy Rodriguez, president of Maduro’s Constituent Assembly which effectively runs the country, said Trump "and his eccentric government should understand that Venezuela will never give in to blackmail or threats."

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that "President Maduro and his inner circle continue to put their own interests above those of the Venezuelan people."

"This action underscores the United States’ resolve to hold Maduro and others engaged in corruption in Venezuela accountable," he added.

"We call on concerned parties and international partners around the world to join us as we stand with the Venezuelan people to further isolate this oppressive regime."

Under the US Treasury order, Aragua state governor, retired general and state oil firm board member Rodolfo Clemente Marco Torres is designated for his alleged role in food smuggling.