US President Donald Trump Tuesday urged the European Union to follow America's lead in slapping sanctions on the "oppressive" regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"We hope our friends in the EU will soon follow the United States, Canada, and many Latin American nations, in sanctioning the Maduro regime," Trump told a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. 

"The citizens have endured immense starvation, suffering and dangers, political unrest, under the oppressive socialist regime," added the US leader.

Washington has slapped sanctions on the crisis-stricken country -- including on Maduro himself -- and days ago added Venezuela to a new list of countries targeted by a US travel ban.