Trump signs new sanctions order on Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing new financial sanctions on Venezuela, said White House in a statement released on Friday.

The new sanctions will prohibit dealings in new debt and equity issued by the government of Venezuela and its state oil company, according to the statement.

"It also prohibits dealings in certain existing bonds owned by the Venezuelan public sector, as well as dividend payments to the government of Venezuela," it added.

It was the latest round of sanctions slapped by the Trump administration on the South American country after Venezuela held elections for the National Constituent Assembly at the end of July.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday that his government is taking steps to defend the country against U.S. economic sanctions.