CARACAS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela has succeeded in overcoming the financial hurdles imposed by U.S. sanctions to service its foreign debt, Minister of Communications and Information Jorge Rodriguez said here on Tuesday.
"Today we began paying interest ... on Venezuela's foreign debt," Rodriguez said in a televised press conference.
"In a clear and coordinated way, we are overcoming the attempted stranglehold of the Trump administration" working in conjunction with Venezuela's opposition, said Rodriguez.
On Monday, Venezuela's government met with bondholders in Caracas to refinance the debt, alleviating some of the burden on the country's shattered economy, and avoid defaulting.
The meeting was described as "highly positive" by the government delegation.
Bondholders came from the United States, Japan, Germany, Portugal and Britain, as well as Latin American countries, including Panama, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
In August, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring dealings in new bonds and stocks issued by the Venezuelan government and the state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela. U.S. banks also cannot engage in new lending with the Venezuelan government or the oil company.
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