The United States has declared Venezuela as national security threat and has imposed sanctions against seven officials from the oil-rich country.

This is the heaviest penalty the United States has announced against Venezuela since socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro assumed his post two years ago. U.S President Barack Obama issued and signed the executive order.

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When the United States considers a country a security threat, what follows is the enforcement of a U.S. sanctions program against the subject of the declaration.

Those that have been previously tagged as terrorist threats are Iran and Syria.

The White House says the order is zeroing in on people who undermine processes and institutions, as well as those who had committed acts of violence or human rights abuse. Other targets are persons who are involved in suppressing freedom of expression as well as government officials who have been engaged in corruption.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest explains: "We are deeply concerned by Venezuelan government's efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents. Venezuela's problems cannot be solved by criminalizing dissent."

Earnest also warns, "Venezuelan officials, past and present, who will violate human rights of Venezuelan citizens and those who engage in acts of public corruption, will not be welcome here."

He also says the White House now has "tools" that will enable them to block the assets of such individuals, including their ability to use the financial systems of the U.S.

The list of persons identified by the U.S. as subject of sanctions are Venezuela's head of state inteligence Gustavo Gonzalez, National Police director Manuel Perez and Justo Noguero, a former National Guard commander who now runs the state mining firm, CVG.

Three other military officials and a prosecutor are also in the list.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez says Venezuela's charge d'affaires in Washington is now being called back home for consultations.

The United States and Venezuela have no full diplomatic representation in one another's countries for six ears now.

Tensions rose between the two countries in 2008, when socialist leader Hugo Chavez threw then U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy out of Caracas. In reaction, Washington expelled Venezuelan envoy Bernardo Alvarez.

TagsU.S., Venezuela, security threat, Sanctions, Barack Obama