The European Union (EU) is calling for "fresh presidential elections" in Venezuela as it prepares to impose more targeted sanctions against officials in the South American country.
Nicolas Maduro was re-elected as Venezuela's president on May 20 in an election marred by low turnout, a boycott by the main opposition and allegations from rival candidates of several voting irregularities.
At a regular meeting in Brussels on Monday, the EU's foreign ministers said in a statement that the vote "lacked any credibility as the electoral process did not ensure the necessary guarantees for inclusive and democratic elections.
"The EU will act swiftly, according to established procedures, with the aim of imposing additional targeted and reversible restrictive measures, that do not harm the Venezuelan population, whose plight the EU wishes to alleviate," it added.
The sanctions are expected to be formally adopted at a meeting on June 25 in Luxembourg, according to reports.
On Friday, EU diplomats told Reuters news agency that the bloc was considering imposing sanctions on 11 officials.
In January 2018, the EU introduced a travel ban and an asset freeze to seven Venezuelan individuals and in November, it imposed an arms embargo.