US slaps new sanctions on Venezuela regime as Russia ups support

A demonstrator throws stones at Venezuelan National Guard troops on the border with Brazil at Pacaraima, Roraima state, on February 24, 2019. [AFP]

The United States and Russia clashed Friday over how to assist crisis-wracked Venezuela, with Moscow pledging new relief channeled through President Nicolas Maduro and Washington slapping sanctions over the blocking of US aid it tried to push through the border.

A day after Russia and China vetoed a US and European resolution at the UN Security Council that called for unimpeded aid deliveries, Washington said it was targeting six Venezuelan military officers for stopping last weekend's US-led convoy.