Maduro censures fresh US bans against Caracas

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has lashed out at the United States for imposing further sanctions against the Latin American country.

During a Saturday speech in the capital city of Caracas, Maduro said the new “stupid” measures are aimed at undermining the military staff’s loyalty after his government thwarted a coup d’état plot against his government in June.

He further accused the US Embassy in the country of being behind the foiled plot that sought to overthrow him by using a Venezuelan military aircraft to bomb a number of targets in Caracas, including the headquarters of the Defense Ministry, the presidential palace and the pan-Latin American Telesur television.

“I can tell you, US embassy officials: one by one: I know who is plotting. And I can tell you this: if your stupid sanctions law serves any purpose, it will be to strengthen our fighters’ resistance,” Maduro said.
The remarks come three days after the US Congress approved asset freeze and visa bans on Venezuelan authorities over alleged human rights violations against anti-government protesters.

Maduro, however, scoffed at the sanctions, saying they will only strengthen Venezuela’s resistance against Washington policies.

Caracas and Washington remain at odds since late Hugo Chavez became president in 1999. Both sides have refused to exchange ambassadors since 2010. The countries have chargé d’affaires running their respective embassies.