Venezuela faces US sanctions

Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States Bernardo Álvarez admitted on Sunday that 'Venezuela is facing different types of sanctions' from the US government. During weekly TV show 'José Vicente Hoy,' aired by Caracas-based private TV channel Televen, the diplomat said that one of the sanctions imposed is hitting 'the Venezuelans who have activities in the United States. Apparently, they are having some problems in the (US) banks just because they come from Venezuela.' According to Álvarez, while the US government accuses Venezuela of terrorism, President George W. Bush is protecting (alleged terrorist) Luis Posada Carriles. The diplomat said that, on the contrary, Venezuela has not taken any action against the United States. 'We have rather increased cooperation.' Álvarez also claimed that Venezuela is ready to mend relations with the US, but within a framework of 'mutual respect, and with no menaces. We want to avoid the situation where sanctions are used.' He added that in the fight against drug trafficking there is the possibility of working together. 'But this cooperation should not be used politically,' he stressed.