The Trump administration extended sanctions to the Central Bank of Venezuela on Wednesday, cutting off the bank’s access to United States currency and limiting its ability to conduct international financial transactions in order to further squeeze the finances of the government led by President Nicolás Maduro.

It is the latest in two years of escalating sanctions primarily aimed at halting the sale of Venezuelan oil to the United States, and American sales of light oil to Venezuela, which the national oil company blends with its heavy oil for export. The Trump administration and dozens of other countries now recognize Juan Guaidó, the leader of the National Assembly, as the interim president until new elections can be held.

By targeting the central bank, the sanctions close off a few remaining critical paths for financing.

Unlike the rest of the government, the central bank does not need approval from the opposition-controlled National Assembly to take out a loan. That loophole allowed it to take a $500 million loan from the Development Bank of Latin America in December.