US warns of more sanctions on Venezuela if it doesn't accept repatriated citizens

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday threatened to impose additional sanctions on Venezuela if the country doesn't accept its citizens who are repatriated from the United States.

"Unless the Maduro regime accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the U.S. will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions," Rubio said in a post on X.

The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Nicolas Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela.

Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions.