U.S. raises pressure on Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift

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00:38

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The U.S. Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who U.S. officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro's behalf.

Separately, a U.S. official said U.S. military aircraft are expected to deliver more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan border in Colombia, with the shipment likely to take place on Saturday.

The steps are part of a wider effort by the United States to undermine Maduro, whose 2018 election it views as illegitimate and whose government it has disavowed, and to strengthen opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido.

Supporters of Venezuela's opposition party march on the street, February 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

U.S. military aircraft are likely to deliver the aid to the Colombian side of the border with Venezuela on Saturday, said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding the State Department plans to make an announcement on Friday.

Another U.S. government source who asked not to be named said the food and medicine would go to the Colombian border town of Cucuta.

A State Department spokeswoman did not address whether there would be an aid delivery on Saturday but noted the United States had pre-positioned relief supplies in Colombia last week and was coordinating with Guaido to mobilize aid for Venezuelans.

It was unclear if any of it would reach Venezuelans.

Source(s): Reuters