US Officials Warn of Potential Sanctions on Venezuela

Venezuela’s Maduro was already testing US patience this month after failing to comply with all of the Barbados deal which had allowed eased oil and gas restrictions. In December, Maduro has added fuel to the fire in its border dispute with oil rich Guyana.

• On Thursday, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby has told reporters that he's, "not in a position to rule anything in or out," regarding the reapplication of sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector following what appears to be non-compliance with the terms of the deal struck in October.
• Kirby: "We don't telegraph in the sanctions realm, we don't get ahead of sanctions decisions so I'm not gonna do that today... Obviously, we always have that option available but I'm not in a position now to rule anything in or out. Deeply, deeply concerned that those commitments weren't followed through by the evening of the 30th."
• Maduro has claimed an “overwhelming” mandate win in his referendum over the border dispute with Guyana this month – ordering state companies to exploit contested oil and mineral deposits in the area as a result.
• With tensions rising on Thursday, the US announced that it would conduct flight operations with the Guyanese military across Guyana.
• “We absolutely stand by our unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.