The row with the network comes at a tense time in relations between Washington and Caracas with the“US imposing sanctions against Venezuela’s vice president” President Nicolas Maduro is furious at the black listing but appears not to want to provoke President Trump.

“I don’t want problems with Mr. Donald Trump. President Donald Trump should know that the Revolutionary state of Venezuela and its people and myself as President of the Republic, don’t want problems with your administration. But the administration is pushing us against the ropes trying to force us into a confrontation.”

Donald Trump seems to have no qualms about annoying President Maduro. Hours later he tweeted calling for the release of the prominent jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
He also showed a photo posing with Lopez’s wife.

Trump described the 45-year-old US educated Lopez as a political prisoner. The politician was accused of inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014 and is serving a 14-year prison sentence.

OPEC member Venezuela is immersed in a deep economic crisis, with inflation in triple digits, shortages of basic goods, and many people going hungry.

Maduro, whose popularity has plunged during the crisis, blames the problems on an “economic war” waged by the United States and local opponents with the complicity of foreign media. (Euronews)

Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately. pic.twitter.com/bt8Xhdo7al

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 15 febbraio 2017