U.S. mulls more "very significant" Venezuela-related sanctions

The United States is considering more "very significant" sanctions in connection with Venezuela, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves a national flag during a pro-government rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, March 9, 2019. [Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos]

There will be "some very significant additional sanctions" in the coming days, U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters at the State Department's daily briefing.

The envoy also revealed that Washington is planning "a significant number of additional visa revocations" for Venezuelans linked with incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

Abrams' words came one day after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered a full withdrawal of remaining diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Caracas, Venezuela within a week.

The Trump administration recently has kept piling up pressure on Maduro, including imposing sanctions on Venezuelan officials and revoking visas of Maduro-aligned individuals.

The United States recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on Jan. 23, days after Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president.

In response, Maduro announced that he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States.