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Reuters
CARACAS
Venezuela on Tuesday slammed Washington's new round of sanctions following President Nicolas Maduro's disputed re-election over the weekend as"a crime against humanity."
The United States was among a string of countries that did not recognize Sunday's vote, which Maduro won easily but which critics said was riddled with irregularities, from the barring of two of his most popular opposition rivals to the offering of a government"prize"to voters.
"Venezuela once again condemns the systematic campaign of aggression and hostility by the U.S. regime to punish the Venezuelan people for exercising their right to vote,"the Foreign Ministry said in a statement."These arbitrary and unilateral measures constitute a crime against humanity."
Venezuela's opposition has accused the Maduro government of behaving immorally and trying to hide shortcomings and corruption behind bombastic rhetoric. The mainstream opposition coalition boycotted Sunday's vote, calling it a sham aimed at legitimizing Maduro's rule despite his low popularity.
"Venezuela is facing a non-conventional war to try and recolonize it,"said Maduro at the event in downtown Caracas at the headquarters of the election board, which is run by government loyalists.
