US declares Venezuela as national security threat US President Barack Obama has issued an executive order declaring Venezuela a national security threat, and has placed sanctions on seven officials. The White House says the new sets of targeted sanctions excludes the Venezuelan people and any trade relations with the nation, and are instead aimed at government officials. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has responded by saying the US measures are intended to topple his Socialist government. He accused President Obama of trying to defeat his government and control Venezuela. An International Relations and Security Expert, Irbard Ibrahim looks at possible fall outs associated with the decision. Click attached audio for detailed information GBC