WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday designated 15 aircraft as the blocked property of Venezuelan state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, the latest move to pressure government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a statement that designated aircraft are property in which Petroleos de Venezuela has an interest.
Several aircraft had been used to transport senior members of the Maduro government, and some had been operated in an unsafe manner in proximity to U.S. military aircraft, according to the statement.
As a result of this action, U.S. persons are on notice that they may not transact with these aircraft.
The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Earlier this month, the Treasury blacklisted seven delegates of the Venezuelan National Assembly, claiming that the designated persons "took steps to undermine the elections process in the National Assembly."
During his Monday meeting with Guaido in Colombia, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington would take further actions to support Guaido.
