The United States has told the United Nations it will enforce sanctions on Venezuela to the fullest extent, aiming to cut off resources to President Nicolas Maduro's US Vows Maximum Sanctions on Venezuela as Russia Warns of Wider Threat. The United States has told the United Nations it will enforce sanctions on Venezuela to the fullest extent, aiming to cut off resources to President Nicolas Maduro's government. Speaking at the UN Security Council, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said transnational criminal and terrorist networks pose the biggest threat to the region, accusing sanctioned oil shipments of financing Maduro's rule and drug trafficking groups. Washington has stepped up its military presence, announced a blockade on sanctioned vessels, and recently intercepted oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude in the Caribbean. Russia warned that US actions could set a dangerous precedent for future interventions across Latin America, while China urged Washington to stop escalating tensions. Venezuela, backed by Moscow and Beijing, rejected the US justification, insisting there is no armed conflict and accusing the US itself of being the real threat..