WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is ramping up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, and energy companies with ties to it, from Russia's Rosneft to U.S.-based Chevron Corp , should"tread cautiously," a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
Rosneft, India's Reliance Industries , Spain's Repsol and Chevron did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Washington imposed a first round of sanctions on PDVSA a year ago, depriving the state-run firm of its main market, the United States. In August, it announced new sanctions targeting non-U.S. firms buying Venezuelan oil.The official also warned against any interference by the Maduro government in Guaido's trip back to Venezuela."Any harm that may be caused on Juan Guaido on his return to Venezuela will have very significant consequences," the official said.