U.S. says Venezuela is national security threat

The U.S. has declared Venezuela a threat to national security and imposed sanctions on seven officials from the oil-rich nation in the worst diplomatic dispute since President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013
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U.S. ASSETS FROZEN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

Antonio Jose Benavides Torres (left): Commander of Strategic Region for Integral Defence in Central Region of Armed Forces

Gustavo Gonzales Intelligence chief

Justo Noguera Runs state mining firm

Katherine Haringhton Public prosecutor

Manuel Perez Director of Police

Manuel Bernal Armoured Brigade chief

Miguel Vivas Army Major General

Feb 2014: Unrest breaks out with nationwide protests calling for freedom of speech, better security and end to goods shortages. Tensions with U.S. flare. Crisis is ongoing
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COLLAPSING ECONOMY LINKED TO FALLING PRICE OF CRUDE OIL (WTI*)

May 2014 Jul Sep Nov Jan 2015 Mar

Crude oil

Sharp drop in oil price leads to severe economic recession, intensifying political instability

VENEZUELA EXPORTS

More than 90%

Caracas

VENEZUELA

San Fernando

COLOMBIA

Puerto Ayacucho

Orinoco River

Georgetown

GUYANA

Paramaribo

Cayenne

SURINAME

FRENCH GUIANA

Boa Vista

BRAZIL

200km 124 miles

$100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30
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Sources: Wire agencies, NASDAQ

*West Texas Intermediate oil price benchmark

Picture: AP

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