Donald Trump warned that he could impose "much harsher" sanctions against Nicolás Maduro's regime

President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the US could impose sanctions "much more difficult" a Venezuela, after new punitive measures announced by the Treasury and after urging the Venezuelan army to ignore the dictator Nicolás Maduro.

During his meeting with his counterpart Brazil, Jair BolsonaroAnother fierce critic of Maduro, Trump has refused to predict the departure of Maduro, who remains seized by power nearly two months after the United States and many Latin American and European countries have declared its "illegitimate" mandate.

"We did not apply the most severe penalties"Trump said at a press conference with Bolsonaro.

"I would say we have imposed sanctions in the middle, but we can be much harsher if we have to do it"added the US President shortly after the Treasury announced the sanctions against Venezuelan Minerven Minerven and its president for their illicit gold mining operations.

"What happens is there is a shame. It was one of the richest countries in the world and suddenly it is overwhelmed by pain and poverty: there is no food, no water, no air conditioning, nothing, "said Trump.

Trump reiterated his call to Venezuelan security forces to abandon Maduro, still supported by military leaders.

"We are asking Venezuelan army members to stop supporting Maduro, who is in reality only a Cuban puppet."Trump said in a joint appeal with Brazil.

Bolsonaro said he had discussed with Trump the possibility of allowing the US military to position himself in Brazil near the border with Venezuela.

For its part, Venezuelan regime accused both leaders of having "apologized for the war" and said his statements were "a threat to international peace and security," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

"No neo-fascist alliance will succeed in defeating the independent and sovereign will of the Venezuelan people", said the text.

Trump reiterated earlier that "all options" are on the table with regard to Venezuela, although Latin America and Europe's allies have warned against the use of force .

"We want to resolve the situation because Brazil is harmed and we are not interested in the country being perpetuated in the current situation.Bolsonaro told the Brazilian media.

But put to choose between diplomatic and military, opted for the first. "Diplomacy first, until the last consequences," he said.

The United States has already imposed a wide range of sanctions on Venezuelan officials and former officials, including Maduro. In addition, applied for the purposes of sanctions to his state oil company PDVSA that, when they come into force on April 28, they will function as a de facto embargo on oil, crucial for its economy.

Analysts say it is unlikely that Washington will impose a total embargo on Venezuela, the type imposed in 1962 by the United States in communist Cuba, which would not attract support from its allies. Latin America.

Venezuela, declared in partial default in November 2017 by several rating agencies, is plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis, which has caused the flight of 2.7 million people since 2015, according to the UN.