Hi Kerry! Hope you've been well. What do sanctions and embargoes do to countries? Why would the presidents intentionally cause economic turmoil and civil unrest? What is their objective? Why would the US impose sanctions?

Please, please understand how these actions impact economies, and why the UN insisted removing them.

Venezuelans voted for Maduro, and in 2019, the US government via USAID tried to overthrow the president. The sanctions froze Venezuela's bank accounts, gold, and reserves. The country can't access its wealth.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/27/venezuela-us-funded-rock-bands-hugo-chavez

PS I lived in Central and South America for many years, and a close friend works for the UN in Colombia assisting the largest refugee crisis the region has experienced.