US calls Venezuela election a 'sham', mulls sanctions

US Vice President Mike Pence today called the Venezuela election a  "sham" threating new sanctions against Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro won a second term.

"Venezuela's election was a sham - neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela," Pence said.

 Maduro principal rival declared the elections "illegitimate" due to alleged irregularities. Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes against 1.8 million won by his rival Henri Falcon. 

"The United States will not sit idly by as Venezuela crumbles and the misery of their brave people continues," the US vice president added.

Reports said the White House is set to announce sanctions against Venezuela which is already hit after oil prices crashed last year. People have been unable to procure basic needs namely food and medicine with inflation skyrocketing.

Election officials said Maduro had won 68 per cent votes in the presidential poll trouncing Falcon who reportedly won 21 per cent of the votes.

The Opposition coalition which boycotted the polls said the elections was a "farce".