The U.S. on Tuesday blacklisted Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA, or Minerven, in its latest effort to clamp down on the country's gold trade.
Minerven President Adrian Antonio Perdomo Mata was also designated in a pair of actions the Treasury Department said are aimed at curtailing Venezuela's "illicit gold operations that have continued to prop up the illegitimate regime of former President Nicolas Maduro".
"We will aggressively pursue those involved with Maduro’s reckless illicit gold trade which is contributing to this financial, humanitarian and environmental crisis," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.
That's a shot at Turkey as well Yosemite Bolton: Guns a blazin
"The Treasury Department said the mining and sale of gold has been one of the Venezuelan government's "most lucrative financial schemes in recent years".
Mining in Venezuela of Venezuelan resources is not a 'scheme'. It's an industry. A jobs provided. A way to feed people. It is not a 'scheme'- That's loaded language boys and girls
Minerven is the only state processor of gold in Venezuela, it said.
Any property owned by Minerven or its president is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and U.S. citizens are generally prohibited from doing business with them as a result of Tuesday's blacklistings.
Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China and Bolivia have maintained their support for Maduro.
Yikes, it's always looking for a fight, preferably a gun fight, Yosemite Bolton!Venezuelan Regime Change Gaining Momentum (The agenda is plainly stated)
White House national security adviser John Bolton said President Trump has been very clear about his message in Venezuela.
“All options are on the table,” Bolton told FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on Tuesday.
“Our objective here is the peaceful transition of power from Maduro to Juan Guaido, the interim president. And I think the momentum is in that direction.”
And, yup, he's still looking for war!
Bolton Blasts Turkey's Bad Relationship With Our Close Pal Israel
The subject of Venezeula's gold trade, with Turkey and otherwise, to the ire of the US has been mentioned a number of times here...
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Turkey Standing With Venezuela Becomes Yet Another Source of US/Turkey Tension
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Venezuela: Backing Guaido, Military Defection & Britian Refuses to Return Venezuela's Gold
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"Authoritarian Gold Bugs" Strike Again! Venezuela & Turkey Cooperate