Washington’s sanctions against Venezuela will not bring the country to a standstill, but still do damage, Hector Rodriguez, the governor of the northern Venezuelan state of Miranda, said in an interview with Sputnik.
“In general, the sanctions do not stop us, but make the development more expensive. At the same time, this urges us to change technologies and [look for new] partners — not only political, but economical as well,” Rodriguez said.
He added that the country was currently going through a tough period.
“But at the same time this is a possibility for Venezuela to finish the process of liberation — not only in terms of politics, but also in terms of the economy and technology,” Rodriguez specified.
Venezuela is currently in a state of political and economical crisis, with Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled Venezuelan National Assembly, having declared himself the country’s interim president last Wednesday. Since the United States and several allies have instantly recognized Guaido, incumbent leader Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of orchestrating a coup in Venezuela.
On Monday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that the United States was imposing sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA, banning deals with the company and blocking $7 billion in PDVSA’s assets. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters that by blocking PDVSA assets, the United States took care of this company in the interests of the people of Venezuela and also took measures to protect its own market.(UNI)
