Trump signs executive order blocking Venezuelan gov't property

President Trump has responded to the growing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela by issuing an executive order that hits Nicolas Maduro and his dictatorial regime in their pockets.

Responding to the “continued usurpation of power by Nicolas Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaido and the Venezuelan National Assembly’s exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela,” the President issued an executive order to block property of the Venezuelan government in the United States.

In the order, it’s explained that “all property and interests in the property of the Government of Venezuela that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.”

This comes at a time when lawmakers have been discussing how to properly respond to the humanitarian crisis that the country is facing, and Florida Senate Republicans have made consistent calls to add pressure to the Maduro Regime.

In addition, the executive order also targets people that “have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or good or services to or in support of” the Maduro Regime.

The move is also consistent with the Trump administrations push-back against Socialism, which has been a priority for the President since assuming office.

Nicolas Maduro has not responded to the executive order, but the dictator has slammed President Trump in the past.

Maduro maintains that he will not give up power, warning Trump not to move further with his actions against the Maduro regime because he would be “making mistakes that will leave your hands covered in blood and you will leave the presidency stained with blood.”