Maduro taunting critics

A DEFIANT Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (pictured) has mocked the sanctions Washington slapped on him after Sunday’s election of a new legislative superbody that prompted the White House to call him a dictator for “seizing absolute power”.

Oil-rich but economically ailing Venezuela awaited a fresh wave of protests against the unpopular Mr Maduro, whose loyalist Supreme Court had already stripped the opposition-controlled congress of its powers, while the country waited to see what actions the newly minted constituent assembly will take.

At least 10 people were killed in unrest during Sunday’s vote, bringing the death toll from four months of anti-government protests to more than 120.

Mr Maduro, hit earlier on Monday by sanctions aimed directly at him, chided US President Donald Trump for winning the presidency by way of the electoral college after losing the popular vote.

“I don’t take orders from the empire,” he shouted to a televised gathering of supporters. “Keep up your sanctions, Donald Trump!” He said the sanctions reflected Mr Trump’s “desperation” and “hatred” for Venezuela’s socialist government.