Banks' illegitimate transactions for Venezuela may lead to face sanctions, says Bolton

White House national security adviser John Bolton on Wednesday warned foreign banks and other financial institutions that they will face U.S. sanctions for "illegitimate" transactions that benefit Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and his network.

"The United States is putting foreign financial institutions on notice that they will face sanctions for being involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that benefit Nicolas Maduro and his corrupt network," Bolton said in a statement released by the White House. (Writing by Susan Heavey)