The Venezuelan government is demanding that US President Barack Obama rescind what he termed an "immoral decree" declaring Venezuela a national threat to the United States, Maduro said in a speech on Thursday.
"Perhaps, I'll appear in Washington with this exhibit, to stand up <…> and tell the government of Washington that they committed grave errors with the world, Latin America, and to demand respect for Bolivarian republic," Maduro said at the inauguration of an international book fair.
Maduro stated that his country has never been a threat to any nation, adding that the only real threat to citizens of the United States is their own government.
The president also thanked Russia for its support, stating he had received a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Russia accuses the Untied States of exercising political pressure on Venezuela. Russia refuses the position of the United States and confirms its solidarity with the country," Maduro said, citing Putin.
On Monday, Obama issued an executive order imposing sanctions against seven Venezuelan officials, freezing their assets and banning them from entering the United States. Obama described the "erosion" of human rights guarantees in Venezuela as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US security.
In December 2014, Washington imposed sanctions against Venezuelan officials who were allegedly involved in suppressing anti-government protests in February that same year. Caracas accused Washington of attempting to topple the Venezuelan government and responded with limits to the size of the US diplomatic mission in the country.
