The president has given companies operating in Essequibo three months to withdraw. ExxonMobil's Stabroek block is at least partly within the Essequibo marine territory.
The Trump administration has announced sanctions on a Russian state-controlled brokerage that has helped the Venezuelan government skirt an US oil embargo and enabled President Nicolas Maduro to keep his grip on power in the South American country.
President Nicolas Maduro has claimed a popular mandate to dramatically revamp Venezuela’s political system, dismissing US sanctions imposed on him and condemnations by his domestic opponents.
