The US government has imposed new sanctions on high-ranking officials in Venezuela, hours after authoritarian long-time ruler Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as president. The eight individuals affected include the president of the state-owned oil company PDVSA,

Nicolas Maduro was unexpectedly sworn in for a third term as president of Venezuela, sparking widespread national and international outrage.

The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials and increased to $25 million the reward it is offering for the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro on the day of his inauguration to a third term following a disputed election last year.