Venezuela to prosecute supporters of US sanctions

Venezuela's new Constituent Assembly has called for the prosecution of any supporters of US sanctions against the country.

This comes in the wake of US President Trump's talk of a "military option" and subsequent armed drills by government forces in Venezuela.

Delcy Rodriguez,‍ President of the National Constituent Assembly talks to the media during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela Aug. 28, 2017.

The controversial new assembly agreed in a unanimous vote, but no names have been formally put forward.

The government justified the move by saying the opposition is supporting financial sanctions by the US – including its Aug. 25 ban on US entities and trading bonds, to the detriment of the nation.

Delcy Rodriguez, president of the constituent assembly, hinted that prosecution of opposition leaders would be forthcoming when asked by CGTN on Monday about how the government would respond to the latest US moves.

The US State Department has condemned moves towards prosecuting opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Fitch Rating has downgraded Venezuela's sovereign bonds, and now believes it is "probable" the nation will default.

(CGTN)