According to the report, which cites unnamed people familiar with the matter, the gold is a significant part of the $8 billion in foreign reserves held by the Venezuelan central bank.
CNN has not been able to independently verify the report and is attempting to get a response from Maduro’s officials.
The move by the Bank of England came after top U.S. officials urged the British government to help cut off Maduro’s access to his country’s assets, the report said, and instead steer them towards opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has claimed the presidency.
On Saturday, the UK joined the US and a host of other countries by saying it would recognize Guaidó as the country’s interim President if new elections were not called within the next eight days.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in saying that the National Assembly and its President Juan Guaidó are best placed to lead Venezuela to the restoration of its democracy, its economy and its freedom,” said UK Minister of State Alan Duncan.
Source: Report: Bank of England blocks Maduro’s $1.2B gold withdrawal
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