The United States has announced a $25 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Nicolás Maduro, coinciding with the day he was sworn in as president of Venezuela the BBC has reported.

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

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.