The United States has canceled the visas of some 49 Maduro allies

At a press conference at the US State Department, Abrams explained that the new restrictions will affect Maduro's "near circle".

Later, state department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said the US had revoked visas for "49 people" close to the Venezuelan president.

"The United States has imposed visa restrictions on those responsible for undermining democracy in Venezuela and we are applying this policy to many officials aligned with Maduro and their families. On February 28, we canceled visas for 49 people"Palladino confirmed.

He added that "the United States will continue to take appropriate action against Maduro and corrupt actors as well as rapists and perpetrators of human rights violations who support him".

Abrams had previously indicated that These visa restrictions add to those previously imposed by Washington on the Venezuelan authorities.

In addition, Abrams explained that his government was in talks with leaders of countries that did not recognize Juan Guaidó as "legitimate" president of Venezuela, the leader of the National Assembly (AN, Parliament) who proclaimed the January 23 head of state invoking the Venezuelan Constitution.

To travel to the United States, Venezuelans must apply for a visa stating the reason for their visit, that is to say if they travel for business, for tourism or for treatment.

The visa restriction is a form of sanction that the US executive usually applies to officials of those governments with those who have a conflict to put pressure on them directly by denying them and their families the opportunity to travel to the United States.