Venezuela introduces new law against international sanctions backers
Venezuela's parliament has passed a law that punishes support for international sanctions with prison terms of up to 30 years.
The law targets those who promote or assist in measures against the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
The "Liberator Simon Bolivar Act" also imposes fines of $100,000 to $1 million on offenders.
Under this new law, politicians found guilty could be banned from public office for up to 60 years and media outlets accused of supporting sanctions content may risk losing their licenses.
President Maduro called the law necessary to counter what he described as the "treacherous attitude" of Venezuelans who support foreign pressure.
He said it was aimed at those who have become "lackeys" of foreign governments, local media reports.
The law is seen as Venezuela's response to new U.S. sanctions targeting Maduro's administration.
The United States and its allies, including the G7 nations, have recognised opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of Venezuela’s disputed July elections despite Maduro being declared by the Electoral Commission.
The introduction of the new law follows mass protests over the election, where 28 people died, and thousands were detained.
Maduro denies the allegations of fraud and insists he won a third term in office.
