On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuela of potential additional sanctions if the country does not accept repatriated citizens from the United States.
Rubio stated that unless the Maduro regime allows deportation flights without excuses or delays, the U.S. will enforce new, severe, and escalating sanctions.
The Venezuelan communications ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
President Nicolas Maduro and his government consistently oppose sanctions from the United States and other nations, considering them illegitimate acts aiming to weaken Venezuela through what they label as an “economic war.”
Despite facing economic challenges and shortages, Maduro and his supporters applaud what they highlight as the country's endurance in the face of sanctions but have attributed some economic difficulties to these measures in the past.