Maduro slams US gov't over sanctions

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

Maduro addressed hundreds of thousands of his supporters at a rally in Caracas to protest against 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.

"They can shove their US visas where they should be shoved, insolent Yankees!" Maduro said in similar rhetoric as his predecessor Hugo Chavez.

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 which is suffering 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 (ICC).

On Monday, Maduro also celebrated the 15th anniversary of the approval of the "Bolivarian Constitution", which started Chavez's long road of social, economic and political changes in this South American nation.