Washington under fire from Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed the US government on Monday over sanctions against senior officials of his administration for alleged violations of human rights.

Maduro addressed thousands of his supporters at a rally in Caracas to protest the US sanctions plan and its interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.

The sanctions include removing visas and freezing assets of more than 50 military and government senior officials who participated in "repressing" anti-government protests earlier in 2014.

Thousands of Venezuelans marched bearing signs with slogans such as "respect Venezuela" and "Yankee go home". The demonstration culminated in a speech by Maduro.

"They can shove their US visas where they should be shoved, insolent Yankees!" Maduro said.

Washington seeks to punish the Venezuelan people but has entered a path without exit, Maduro continued.

"Venezuela must be respected, and we have no fear of any imperialist power, hear that well at the White House," he said.

Maduro said ironically that it was "disrespectful" of Washington not to include all government officials in that list because they would be really proud to be listed.

US President Barack Obama plans to sign the sanctions legislation. The issue has provided Maduro a new breather to revive his popularity at the end of a tough year for Venezuela, as it suffers widespread shortages of basic products and the worst inflation in the region.

Maduro also proposed that the National Assembly bring together Venezuela's top lawyers to begin a lawsuit against the US government for violations of human rights at the International Criminal Court.

Xinhua - AP