Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term after an election the opposition says was rigged.

President-elect Donald Trump says Venezuela's embattled opposition leader must be protected as President Nicolas Maduro takes the oath of office for a third six-year term.

The Biden administration announced new sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other government officials on Friday — marking its anger with Caracas minutes after Maduro was sworn into office for a third term following an election the U.S. says he didn’t win.

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

Almost no one outside Venezuela, and fewer people in the country, see him as a legitimate leader.

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 its opponents.

Nicolás Maduro took the oath before parliament, vowing his third six-year term in office would be a "period of peace".

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.

President-elect Donald Trump issued a warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who entered his third term Friday, that he better keep democracy activists 'safe and alive' after detaining Maria Machado.

The US has announced an increased $25m (£20.4m) re Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on the day he was sworn in for a third six-year term in office. The inauguration ceremony was overshadowed by recrimination from the international community and Venezuelan opposition leaders.