Iran Press/ Europe: The designated targets were Rosneft Trading S.A., a subsidiary of the Russian state-controlled Rosneft Oil Company, and its President Didier Casimiro, according to a statement issued by the Department of the Treasury.
"Rosneft Trading S.A. and its president brokered the sale and transport of Venezuelan crude oil," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in the statement.
The statement noted that all property and interests in property of the blacklisted targets are blocked. Meanwhile, the US Treasury also issued a general license that allows companies to wind down their transactions with Rosneft Trading S.A.
The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the lawfully elected government of Nicolas Maduro in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido.
The sanction came amid increasing competition between the United States and Russia over the Venezuela issue. The US President Donald Trump's reception of Guaido at the White House earlier this month was closely followed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Venezuela.
"We have agreed on our path of future work, to deepen economic cooperation of investments in other areas, despite illegitimate sanctions," Lavrov said after meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on February 7th.
Venezuela has plunged into a political crisis after Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January.
Shortly after Guaido took an oath swearing himself in before his supporters, US President recognized him as the country's leader. In response, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro broke off diplomatic ties with the US and gave American diplomats 72 hours to get out of his country.
Russia and China, both opposed the US call to support Guaido and condemned any international interference in Venezuela.
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