US sanctions 5 Venezuelan officials
Xinhua
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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves to supporters outside the National Electoral Council headquarters, in Caracas, Venezuela in 2017. (File photo: AP)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The US government said on Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on five current officials of Venezuela, the latest move to pressure Maduro government.

Tuesday's identifications focus on high-level officials acting on behalf of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, accusing those officials of involving "corruption and human rights abuses."

According to the statement, the designated individuals were senior officials in the Venezuelan military, intelligence, and the legislative branch, and the European Union and Canada had imposed sanctions against all of them.

"Treasury's identifications today reflect a unified effort against the illegitimate former Maduro regime," said the statement.

The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of the opposition leader Juan Guaido.