Stop buying fuel from Venezuela or face sanctions: US

The United States told some large trading houses they should stop trading jet fuel with Venezuela or face sanctions, ratcheting up pressure aimed at removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, according to two industry sources.

According to the two sources familiar with the calls to several large Swiss and U.K. based trading houses, which were made this week by U.S. state department officials, the move is aimed at restraining commercial and military flights in Venezuela.

The officials said diesel trade with Venezuela was still considered legal for humanitarian reasons.