The U.S. State Department is threatening the re-imposition of sanctions on Venezuela's oil and natural gas, a development which could have direct implications on this country's Dragon Gas deal with Venezuela.

The State Department says the arrest in Venezuela of members of the democratic opposition and the barring of candidates from competing in this year's presidential election, are inconsistent with the agreements signed in Barbados last October by representatives of Mr. Maduro and Venezuela's Unitary Platform.

Juhel Browne reports.