Venezuela gold news: Maduro sells of gold (Image: GETTY)
The US Treasury had attempted to freeze the assets of the Nicolas Maduro administration but in spite of that, the state has managed to sell $570million (£448million) worth of gold. According to Bloomberg, the central bank sold around 9.7 tonnes of gold on May 10 and a further four three days later. The proceeds will now be used to try and generate imports into the country according to sources close to Bloomberg.
The US had attempted to cut off cash flow to Maduro’s government in order to try and remove him from the country.
Speaking in April following the removal of eight tonnes of gold from the central bank, a US State Department spokesman “condemned” the Maduro government from trying to “steal” from the Venezuelan people.
Criticising the move, the spokesman said: “The United States condemns all attempts by Maduro and his supporters to steal resources from the Venezuelan people.
“We encourage companies, banks, and other entities, whether in the United
