The United States slapped fresh sanctions against eight senior Venezuelan officials Friday as President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in to a third term following elections Washington says were won by his opponent.

The US has announced it has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The United States on Friday imposed 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.

Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro began a third term as president on Friday, cementing his increasingly authoritarian rule.

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado surround the truck she waves from during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro the day before his inauguration for a third term in Caracas,

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be sworn in for a third six-year term after a reelection widely viewed as illegitimate and as his administration grows increasingly brazen in cracking down on