U.S. sanctions Venezuelan individuals, groups

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced Tuesday that sanctions have been imposed upon several Venezuelan individuals and groups.

The Treasury Department accused seven individuals and 23 entities involved in a corruption scheme designed to take advantage of the Government of Venezuela's currency exchange practices, generating more than 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in corrupt proceeds, according to a statement issued by the department.

All property and interests in property of sanctioned individuals and entities subject to or transiting U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, said the Treasury.