The United States imposed sanctions on two former Venezuelan government officials, barring them from entering the US on charges of involvement in corruption.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said two former officials, including ex-energy secretary Luis Motta, took bribes and kickbacks in exchange for negotiating lucrative deals to supply equipment for the state energy company Corpoelec. Pompeo also accused Motta and Eustiquio Jose Lugo Gomez, a former deputy finance minister, of misappropriating public funds to enrich himself.

Officials were earlier blacklisted by the US last year.