Switzerland Freezes Assets of Maduro and People Close to Him (1)

The Swiss government has frozen any assets held in Switzerland by Nicolas Maduro and people close to the Venezuelan president.

The order is to ensure that potentially illegally acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland, the government said in a statement on Monday. The freeze comes into force with immediate effect and will remain valid for four years, until further notice.

A total of 37 people are currently affected by the freeze, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in an emailed reply to questions. It declined to given any indication as to the value of the assets blocked.

The Swiss ...