The United States has sanctioned three banks linked to the Maduro regime in Venezuela, Uruguay and Bolivia

Foreign Assets Control Office (OFAC) of the Treasury Department sanctioned the Economic and Social Development Bank of Venezuela and four other financial institutions that Bands owns or controls.

"The disposition of Maduro's restricted circle to exploit the institutions of Venezuela has no bounds. The plan experts have turned Bands and its subsidiaries into money transfer vehicles abroad to consolidate Maduro.", denounced the Treasury Department in a statement.

"Maduro and his facilitators distorted the original purpose of the bank, which had been created to contribute to the economic and social well-being of the Venezuelan people, as part of a desperate attempt to maintain power. " said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.. "The continued use of the regime of kidnappings, torture and killings of Venezuelan citizens will not be tolerated by the United States or by the international coalition united behind President Guaido. Roberto Marrero and other political prisoners should be released immediately ", asks the official in the document.

In addition to Venezuela Bands, the Treasury sanctioned its subsidiaries in Uruguay, Banco Bandes Uruguay S.A; the Banco Bicentenario del Pueblo, the working clbad, women and the community, and Banco Universal C.A., based in Venezuela; and Banco Prodem S.A., Bolivia.

As a result of today's action, "all the badets and interests of the property of those entities and of any entity directly or indirectly owned 50% or more by that entity and found in the United States or in possession or under the control of US nationals are blocked and must be reported to FOCA, "warns the Treasury.

Nicolás Maduro's government has increased pressure against Venezuela's opposition with the unlawful arrest of Roberto Marrero, the main aide to the head of parliament, Juan Guaidó, recognized as interim president by more than fifty countries.