THE U.S. HAS IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON THREE NEPHEWS OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO.

 

THE MOVE IS THE LATEST BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TO INCREASE PRESSURE ON VENEZUELA TO STEM THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL DRUGS INTO THE UNITED STATES.

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Geoff Ramsey, Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow:

“So, it certainly seems like the US is escalating the pressure on Maduro. But at the same time, we're seeing these reports that Trump and Maduro are talking behind the scenes. And this would be compatible with how this White House engages in these really high-stakes diplomatic talks. Trump prefers to pile on the pressure in any kind of negotiations, and I think this case is no different.”

 

THIS FOLLOWS THE U.S. SEIZURE OF AN OIL TANKER OFF VENEZUELA'S COAST.

 

THE U.S. HAS ALSO CONDUCTED DEADLY STRIKES ON ALLEGED DRUG-SMUGGLING BOATS, KILLING AT LEAST 87 PEOPLE SINCE EARLY SEPTEMBER.

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Geoff Ramsey, Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow:

“I think this administration would like to see Maduro leave, but I also think that this administration sees a larger set of goals in Venezuela relating to the White House's immigration priorities. They'd like to stop the flow of migrants and refugees from Venezuela. I think obviously this administration views Venezuela through the lens of oil interests. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves on the planet, and that fact is not lost on the Trump administration. And ultimately, I think this administration is trying to push back against rising Chinese and Russian influence in the Western hemisphere, and Venezuela has served as a base of operations for both Russia and China for years.”