The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela called economic terrorism and violation of international law new US sanctions imposed on the eve of ten individuals and 13 companies, mainly engaged in the supply of food to the republic.

“The Government of the Bolivarian Republic, in the face of the international community, once again condemns yet another aggression against the people of Venezuela by the government of the United States of America, which declared unilateral illegal coercive measures, the criminal purpose of which in this case is only to deprive the Venezuelan people of their right to food,” - said in a statement the foreign ministry.

In addition, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also emphasizes that the administration of US President Donald Trump blocked banking operations, purchases of food and medicine, and "took countless actions to force the change of government through unconstitutional means, ignoring the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people."

“This practice can only qualify as economic terrorism and can only be met with rejection by the international community due to a serious violation of the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and other norms of international law,” the statement reads.

The ministry also believes that the measures taken are an open demonstration of “political and geopolitical despair” on the part of Washington.

“Because of the inability of the United States government to achieve its objectives of intervening in Venezuela’s affairs, the decisions announced today are another element of the vicious campaign of spreading defamation against the family of constitutional President Nicolas Maduro,” the diplomatic department said.

Earlier, the White House expanded restrictive measures against Venezuela. Firms based in the United States, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Panama, Mexico and Turkey came under restriction. According to the American authorities, these companies allegedly participated in the corruption scheme, built in the interests of President Nicolas Maduro.

"Washington will not stop at this"

It is worth noting that Washington is not the first time to introduce restrictions that have a negative impact on the welfare of the people of the Bolivarian Republic and, as a result, on their standard of living.

Thus, in late May, Jorge Arreas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, said that due to the White House’s sanctioning restrictions on the state-owned company PDVSA, which finances Venezuelan treatment, a child who had not waited for a bone marrow transplant in Italy died.

"This is a consequence of the criminal blockade by the United States, which prohibits the transfer of funds to the Italian medical institutions with which PDVSA worked on such urgent cases," wrote the head of the republic’s foreign ministry on his Twitter page.

  • Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreas
  • Reuters
  • © Manaure Quintero

In mid-April, the Venezuelan diplomatic department said that United States restrictive measures against PDVSA endanger the lives of hundreds of citizens receiving treatment abroad.

“At the moment, within the framework of agreements in the field of health care carried out by PDVSA, hundreds of patients are being treated in medical institutions abroad and more than 500 thousand patients at the national level,” the statement said on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is also noted that the existing restrictions do not allow the full implementation of humanitarian health assistance programs for Venezuelans. As explained in the Foreign Ministry, PDVSA allocates funds to citizens of Venezuela for therapy, operations and transplants.

Recall, on April 5, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions against two Venezuelan companies operating in the oil industry, as well as two organizations that supplied Venezuelan oil to Cuba.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic condemned such a move by Washington, calling it a "flagrant violation of human rights."

Experts also note that Washington "continues to put pressure" on the legitimate government of Venezuela, acting in completely inhumane ways.

“At the same time, the US is accompanying its actions with statements about the need to destroy the allegedly anti-democratic government in Venezuela. The measures taken by the American side are another step to strangle the republic, and Washington will not stop at this, ”said Vladimir Travkin, editor-in-chief of the Russian Academy of Sciences journal Latin America, in an interview with RT.

He added that the United States cannot accept the intentions of the Venezuelans to “establish the democracy they need,” not the one that Washington imposes on them.

“The White House is not satisfied with Maduro, as the current president of Venezuela continues the policy of control over the republic’s oil and other natural resources and is trying to distribute funds to the population’s benefit,” the analyst explained.

“The fate of the Venezuelans is indifferent”

Vladimir Travkin also suggested that the restrictive measures imposed by the United States against companies supplying products to Venezuela may well force these firms to refuse to cooperate with the Bolivarian Republic.

“Some suppliers may leave the Venezuelan market, in this case, the supply of food will be reduced, which will further complicate the situation in Venezuela. This will aggravate the recent humanitarian crisis in the republic. And the White House is counting on it, ”the analyst emphasized.

  • Patients in a venezuelan hospital
  • Reuters
  • © Carlos Eduardo Ramirez

According to Travkin, Washington imposes sanctions restrictions that directly harm the population, as it hopes that this will raise a wave of discontent among Venezuelans.

“The United States is trying to get the Venezuelans to take to the streets and take steps to dismantle the Maduro regime. But in reality, the White House is deeply indifferent to the fate of the Venezuelans, ”said the expert.

Alexander Chichin, dean of the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, adheres to a similar point of view. According to him, the discontent of the Venezuelan residents could allow Washington to bring the situation to armed clashes.

“In that case, the White House would be able to raise the issue of possible military intervention,” the analyst predicted.

Alexander Chichin also admitted that the situation in the country could become critical due to Washington’s new sanctions.

"At the same time, Washington intends to shift the blame for what is happening on Maduro and show the Venezuelans that it was their leader who brought the state to such a state," said the expert.

"Able to inspire people"

Vladimir Travkin calls the new sanctions on the part of Washington "another test" for the Venezuelan leadership, as he hastily will have to look for new food suppliers. However, according to the analyst, the president of the republic will be able to get out of the situation.

“Maduro has not exhausted his potential - he will manage to bring the situation under control, and the White House will not be able to change the power in the Bolivarian Republic. Already, the Venezuelan leader is pursuing a policy of import substitution and, taking into account new sanctions, will only strengthen the work in this direction, ”the expert said.

In turn, Alexander Chichin argues that the leader of the Bolivarian Republic "is making every effort to effectively distribute available resources among Venezuelans."

“In addition, the population is developing new lands on which they grow potatoes, soybeans, and corn. If this trend continues to develop, it is possible that this will help resolve the situation, ”the analyst says.

He also recalled that Nicolas Maduro is trying to level the negative effect of US sanctions restrictions by organizing the supply of Venezuelan oil to foreign markets.

"Now, despite the opposition of the United States, relevant negotiations are underway with the countries of the Persian Gulf," says Chichin.

From his point of view, in the face of increasing pressure from Washington Maduro, it is necessary to gain time.

“Now his main resource is public confidence. Venezuelans understand that it is not the incumbent who is to blame for the difficulties encountered, but the United States. If the inhabitants of the country did not realize this, they would have long ago supported the head of the opposition, Juan Guaido, ”said the analyst.

  • Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
  • © Miraflores Palace / Handout via REUTERS

Alexander Chichin is confident that in the foreseeable future, the Venezuelan authorities will be able to keep the situation under control.

“Maduro is able to inspire his people, despite the negative impact of US actions on the population. He always shows people that Venezuela is a country that can withstand, despite American pressure, ”says Chichin.

Vladimir Travkin shares the same opinion. He states that for a long time the Venezuelans have not been amenable to the provocations of Washington.

"I think that the situation in the country is normalizing, and the damage from the American sanctions will be minimized," summed Travkin.