Venezuela's funds transfer blocked, opposition lawmaker says
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS FEBRUARY 5, 2019 / 3:33 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
Venezuela's funds transfer blocked, opposition lawmaker says
Vivian Sequera, Angus Berwick
5 MIN READ
CARACAS (Reuters) - A bank in Portugal has blocked Venezuelas attempt to transfer $1.2 billion to Uruguay, a lawmaker said on Tuesday as the opposition to President Nicolas Maduro warned of the theft of public funds, while the United States sent food and medical aid to the Venezuelan-Colombian border.
Pressure is building on Maduro, a socialist, to resign amid an economic crisis marked by widespread shortages and hyperinflation, with the United States and a growing number of other nations recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate president.
Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed willingness for the Vatican to mediate Venezuelas mounting crisis if both sides seek it. Russia, which along with China has backed Maduro in the crisis, underscored its view that the crisis can be resolved only with negotiations between the government and opposition.
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Portugal-based Novo Banco halted the $1.2 billion transfer of Venezuelan government financial assets to Uruguayan banks, legislator Carlos Paparoni said during a congressional session, a day after Guaido said authorities were trying to move funds.
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Read more:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics/venezuelas-funds-transfer-blocked-opposition-lawmaker-says-idUSKCN1PU2BV