US lifts financial sanctions on Venezuelan Gen. Manuel Figuera

United States lifted Tuesday the financial sanctions imposed on top Venezuelan general Manuel Figuera who tried to help the country’s opposition leader Juan Guaido in the uprising and is intended to encourage others in the government military to abandon support for President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan military is the backbone of embattled socialist administration and US is looking to lure the officers in the process of uprising and forcing Maduro to step down.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan apex court opened criminal investigation Tuesday against six lawmakers from the opposition alleging they betrayed the homeland besides instigating insurrection.

The oil-rich country’s top court added those who are facing several accusations including Luis Florido, Henry Ramos Allup and other prominent figures in the opposition.

Vice President Mike Pence said US would extend sanctions to Supreme Court members if it works as a political tool of the government

There are 25 members in the apex court and US has until now sanctioned about 150 officials and business houses of Venezuela.

In past few years about three million people have left their homeland in Venezuela amid hyperinflation, and shortage of food and medicine supplies.

Pence warned in his speech that more two million Venezuelans are expected to flee by the end of 2019.