Venezuela's Maduro urges U.N. to lift sanctions

"Our access to gold has been kidnapped and blocked in the Central Bank of Venezuela's international reserves in London. Billions of dollars have been seized and blocked in bank accounts in the U.S, Europe and beyond. Venezuelan oil and mining companies aren't allowed to trade their products and open bank accounts in the world to pay, to collect and to make commercial transactions in a free manner as provided by international law," Maduro said.

"We ratify our request, our demand to the United States and the European Union governments lift all the criminal sanctions against Venezuelan economy." he added.

Maduro's interjection was recorded in Caracas.