Elliott Abrams, Washington's top envoy for Venezuela who was involved in the disastrous Iran-Contra war in Central America in the 1980s, indicated that the US could impose secondary sanctions against allies of Venezuela and the Maduro government who oppose the effort by the US to force regime change.  Sanctioning governments across the globe for backing Maduro over Guaido violates international law and the sovereignty of the nation of Venezuela.  While 54 countries have joined the US in recognizing Guadio as the ruler of Venezuela, three-quarters of the world's countries, including Russia and China, are siding with Maduro's elected government.

With the vast majority of the world still seeing Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, America's hawkish special envoy has hinted that Washington might sanction third parties that defy the US regime-change efforts.

The international community must choose sides wisely in the Venezuelan conflict, the curator of US intervention in the Latin American country, special envoy Elliott Abrams, suggested on Tuesday, noting that Washington would not limit itself to economic sanctions just against the Maduro government, but against all who chose to support him.