Venezuelans protest U.S. sanctions

Supporters of the government of President Nicolas Maduro rallied in Caracas on Wednesday to denounce recent sanctions on the South American country imposed by the United States. Washington on Monday announced a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States, escalating an economic and diplomatic pressure campaign aimed at removing the socialist president.

The asset freeze follows repeated rounds of sanctions against Maduro that have hampered Venezuela's already collapsing socialist economy but failed to dislodge him, or convince his military allies to turn against him. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido spoke at a rally to mark one year since the arrest of opposition politician Juan Requens. The United States and most Western nations have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader.