Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Venezuelan Minister Calls US Sanctions 'Economic Terrorism' Lisa Schlein GENEVA - In a speech to the U.N. human rights council, Venezuela's foreign minister has blasted U.S. sanctions imposed on the government of Nicolas Maduro as economic terrorism designed to bring his country to its knees. .