It places Washington’s trade relations with the South American country on a par with Cuba, Syria, Iran and North Korea. The ban on Americans doing business with Venezuela’s government takes effect immediately. “All property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela that are in the United States ... are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in,” according to the executive order released by the White House. While the order falls short of an outright trade embargo, it represents the most determined US action to remove Maduro since the Trump administration recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s rightful leader in January.