<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The head of Venezuela's government-controlled assembly has accused the top US diplomat in Caracas of promoting a coup and threatened to take corresponding diplomatic measures against him. National Constituent Assembly president Delcy Rodriguez issued a series of tweets targeting US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson. They follow the release of an interview he gave to a local online publication critical of the Venezuelan government.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Relations have long been tense between the United States and Venezuela, an oil-rich country in a deepening political and economic crisis.Robinson told the publication RunRunes that it is possible Washington could ratchet up sanctions against Venezuela's critical oil sector, on top of sanctioning dozens of key government officials, such as President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Undoubtedly, the sanctions have been effective so far at identifying members of the regime who are corrupt or those who have played a role against Venezuela's institutions and Constitution.</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Robinson criticized the electoral process ahead of presidential elections on April 22, when Maduro will seek a second term. He said Venezuela's military has a large influence on the country's future, but he walked a fine line adding that as a diplomat he does not support coups.</div>