Venezuelans launch 2 day strike against maduro as us slaps sanctions

Venezuelans have launched a two-day strike against the government of President Nicolás Maduro, while the United States has imposed new sanctions on the country's state-owned oil company, PDVSA.

The strike, which began on Monday, is being led by opposition groups and is aimed at pressuring Maduro's government to hold elections and address the country's severe economic crisis. The strike has been supported by many Venezuelans, who are struggling to access basic goods and services due to the country's economic collapse.

The US sanctions, which were announced on Monday, target PDVSA's US-based subsidiaries and prohibit US companies from doing business with the company. The sanctions are aimed at cutting off the flow of oil revenue to the Maduro government, which the US claims is using the money to fund its repression of the opposition and its allies.

The sanctions are the latest in a series of measures taken by the US against the Maduro government, which has been accused of human rights abuses and corruption. The US has also imposed sanctions on several high-ranking officials in the Maduro government, including the president himself.

The strike and the sanctions come as tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate. The US has recognized the opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, as the interim president of Venezuela, while the Maduro government has refused to recognize him.

The situation in Venezuela remains highly volatile, with protests and clashes between government supporters and opponents continuing to occur. The country's economic crisis is also deepening, with widespread shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods.

The international community has been divided on how to address the crisis in Venezuela, with some countries supporting the Maduro government and others backing the opposition. The US has been a strong supporter of the opposition, while Russia and China have backed the Maduro government.

The situation in Venezuela is likely to remain uncertain in the coming days and weeks, with the strike and the sanctions adding to the pressure on the Maduro government.