(Fernando Llano/Associated Press)CARACAS, Venezuela — U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States could impose harsher sanctions on Venezuela in its campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. Both Brazil and the United States have voiced support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized as the country’s legitimate leader by about 50 countries. In a bid to force a change of leadership, the United States has imposed oil sanctions on Venezuela as well as sanctions on individuals associated with the government of Maduro, who charges that he is the target of a U.S. coup plot. The U.S. could impose “a lot tougher” sanctions on Venezuela if needed, Trump said, and he also repeated that “all options are open” when dealing with the crisis in Venezuela. Elliott Abrams, the Trump administration’s special envoy to Venezuela, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Source: Washington Post March 19, 2019 20:24 UTC