Venezuela’s president is asking for special powers from parliament in response to new U.S. sanctions. CCTV’s Martin Markovits has more on Nicolas Maduro’s reaction to the growing friction with Washington.

Highlights:

• President Obama declared Venezuela a “national security threat”, signed an executive order approving new sanctions against the country.
• In a fiery two-hour speech, Maduro called it proof that Washington wants to topple his government.
• Obama’s executive order targets seven Venezuelan government officials for alleged human rights abuses.
• This cements Venezuela as Washington’s main adversary in Latin American now that relations with Cuba are improving.