U.S. sanctions Venezuela's counter-intelligence agency after death of navy captain

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions against Venezuela's military counter-intelligence agency following the death in custody of a Venezuelan navy captain amid allegations of torture.

The U.S. Treasury said it would freeze all assets directly or indirectly owned by the General Directorate of Military Counter-intelligence (DGCIM).

President Nicolas Maduro's government confirmed the death on June 29 of Capt. Rafael Acosta, who was arrested eight days earlier for alleged participation in a coup plot.

Human rights organizations and political leaders have accused Maduro's government of torturing Acosta to death and refusing to clarify the circumstances.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that the "politically motivated arrest and tragic death" of Rafael Acosta was "unwarranted and unacceptable."

"Treasury is committed to ending the former Maduro regime's inhumane treatment of political opponents, innocent civilians and members of the military in an effort to suppress dissent," he added.

The Venezuelan authorities buried Acosta's remains on Wednesday despite opposition from his family, who want an independent autopsy.

Venezuela's chief prosecutor, Tarek Saab, has said two officials working for DGCIM have been charged with homicide in Acosta's death, without explaining how Acosta died.

The latest move to pressure Maduro from power followed another round of negotiations in Barbados between Maduro's government and opposition leaders, aimed at ending Venezuela's political crisis.

Maduro's spokesperson, Jorge Rodriguez, said the talks moderated by Norway that closed Wednesday resulted in a successful exchange, but gave no details, and it wasn't immediately clear if any agreements had been reached.

Maduro says the U.S. seeks to replace him with a puppet government headed by opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido amid an economic war against his socialist country. The U.S.-backed opposition is demanding early presidential elections, contending that Maduro's re-election last year was invalid.

Critics accused Maduro's government of arbitrary detentions and the systematic use of torture against dissidents and military officers.

The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, recently published a report accusing Venezuelan officials of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and measures to erode democratic institutions.