Britain announced new sanctions on Friday against 15 people associated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, saying they were responsible for human rights violations and undermining democracy and the rule of law.

On the same day Nicolás Maduro was sworn in to serve a six-year term as the president of Venezuela, the U.S. announced a $25 million reward for his arrest. The reward is part of a program aimed at "disrupting and dismantling transnational drug trafficking organizations."

Venezuelan migrant Mariangela Lozano longs for her homeland, but ahead of Friday's planned inauguration for President Nicolas Maduro's third term, she has begrudgingly opted to remain in Mexico and brave her meager living conditions.

The U.S. government increased the rewards Friday for the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and his number two, Diosdado Cabello, to $25 million each, minutes after it said the dictator was “fraudulently” sworn in for a third presidential term.

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term after an election the opposition says was rigged.

MIAMI - As Venezuela approaches January 10, a pivotal day in its history, tensions are mounting over a disputed presidential election, systemic human rights violations and dueling presidential inaugurations.

The Biden administration announced a slew of new sanctions against allies of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in opposition to his claim of election victory, calling his Friday inauguration “illegitimate” and a “desperate attempt to seize power.

Venezuela is set to inaugurate a head of state on Friday – but there are still two men claiming to be the nation’s rightful president.