Bern, Jan. 5 -- Switzerland on Monday announced the immediate freezing of any Swiss-based assets linked to Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro, saying that if the assets are found to be of illicit origin, efforts will be made to ensure they benefit the Venezuelan population, the Swiss Federal Government said on Monday.

In a statement posted on X, the Swiss Federal Government said the move takes effect immediately and applies to all Swiss-based assets linked to Maduro.

"Venezuela: With immediate effect, Switzerland is freezing any Swiss-based assets linked to Nicolas Maduro. If any assets turn out to be of illicit origin, Switzerland will do its best to ensure that these benefit the Venezuelan population," the Swiss government sa...