During Trump’s first term, the US levelled “maximum pressure” sanctions on Venezuela while recognising opposition figure Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate president. That effort failed; Guaidó now lives in Florida.

María Corina Machado, the most prominent figure in the country’s opposition movement, argued the measures are needed to stop government repression.

Venezuela's exports of crude and fuel rose in February to their highest since November, vessel monitoring data showed, as the U.S. prepared to terminate a key license that allows oil major Chevron to operate and ship crude from the country.