U.S. ramps up pressure on Venezuela's Maduro with sanctions on state governors

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves the national flag during a rally of his supporters in Caracas, Venezuela February 23, 2019. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

(Reuters) - The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on four state governors in Venezuela as it ramped up pressure on President Nicholas Maduro for blocking humanitarian aid convoys.

The action coincides with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attending a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota, where he said the United States was readying an additional $56 million in humanitarian aid. He called on Latin American allies to increase pressure on Maduro's government.