CARACAS – President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has denounced a U.S. Senate bill that would lead to sanctions on senior officials and officers of the country.
Maduro warned of “severe” countermeasures if it was finally approved.
He said that Washington was openly challenging Venezuela with sanctions and threats against its officials.
“If irrationality triumphs and the sanctions are finally imposed on Venezuela, Barack Obama will end up in a very bad position regarding our bilateral ties,’’Maduro said.
The U.S. Senate passed a legislation Monday that would direct Obama to impose travel and economic sanctions on senior Venezuelan government and military officials for their alleged violation of human rights.
Maduro said that the Venezuelan people feel indignity by threats made by the U.S. Senate and condemn the attitude adopted by Washington.
“Venezuela is willing to have relations of peace and respect with Washington, but will not tolerate U.S. interference in its domestic policies,’’ he added.
The Venezuelan president said last Saturday, that he was revising diplomatic relations with the U.S. because of a continued policy of interventionism by Washington in his country’s internal affairs.
Washington and Caracas have had a tense relation since late President Hugo Chavez took power in 1999 and since 2010 both nations have not exchanged ambassadors with a constant trade of accusations.
Report says U.S. has criticised Venezuela’s jailing of protest leader, Leopoldo Lopez in February and last week’s indictment of another opposition leader. (Xinhua/NAN)
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