U.S. Considering Sanctions Against Cuban Officials On Their Role In Venezuela

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks next to Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel during their meeting at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Marco BelloReuters

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. weighs sanctions on Cuban officials over role in Venezuela crackdown

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is considering imposing sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence officials who it says are helping Venezuela’s socialist government crackdown on dissent, according to a source with knowledge of the deliberations.

Such sanctions would be the first time Washington has targeted a bloc of foreign officials allied with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. OPEC member Venezuela is in the grips of a prolonged recession, its economy dogged by hyperinflation and food shortages.

The White House declined comment in response to Reuters questions about possible Cuba sanctions. The Cuban and Venezuelan governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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WNU Editor: Within Venezuela itself, the protests continue .... Venezuelan youth protests against President Maduro (AFP).

U.S. Ambassador To The UN Nikki Haley Joined Venezuelan Protesters Calling For The Ouster Of President Maduro

U.S. Ambassador To The UN Nikki Haley calls for the ouster of the Maduro government in Venezuela. (AFP Photo/Jim WATSON)

AFP: US ambassador calls for Maduro ouster with megaphone diplomacy

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, on Thursday joined Venezuelan protesters outside the world body headquarters and called for the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.

Haley's embrace of demonstrators was highly unusual for a diplomat from a major power at the staid United Nations and came a day after President Donald Trump hinted at military options against Maduro's leftist government.

"We are going to fight for Venezuela and we are going to continue doing it until Maduro is gone!" Haley shouted from a megaphone.

"We need your voices to be loud and I will tell you, the US voice is going to be loud," she said.

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WNU Editor: The Trump administration has recently made it very clear that they would not shed a tear if he is overthrown .... Is Trump Eyeing A Coup In Venezuela? (Nick Cunningham, OilPrice.com).