CARACAS, Sept. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- The Venezuelan government on Saturday accused the United States of hindering efforts to improve the bilateral relations by supporting pro-coup forces and obstructing an international loan to the South American country.

    Venezuela "wants to call attention to the double standard of the United States" with respect to Venezuela, since it will be "inconvenient" for the improvement of the deteriorating bilateral ties, said Venezuela's Communications and Information Minister Andres Izarra.

    US President George W. Bush announced Friday in a memo to Secretary of State Colin Powell an order to block "some 250 million US dollars of a loan Venezuela was to receive through multinational institutions."

    The United States accused Venezuela of letting loose human trafficking inside the country and abroad. "Venezuela does not combat the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation," the White House said.

    Izarra did not comment on the alleged trafficking of people, but said the US sanction would become an obstacle in the already shaky relations between the two countries.

    The official said the loan was requested by Venezuela before the Inter-American Development Bank to support social programs. The Interior and Justice Ministry will respond to the accusation of the White House, the official said. Enditem