The United States has imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan judicial and election officials whom it accuses of helping President Nicolas Maduro certify his controversial election win earlier this year.

The penalties on Thursday targeted the leaders of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), as well as other Maduro allies who backed his claim to victory in the July 28 vote.

Washington says new penalties should prompt ‘deeper reflection’ by officials aligned with the Venezuelan president.

The US and several countries in the West and Latin America have rejected the results, citing a lack of transparency and allegations of voter fraud. Instead, the US said “overwhelming evidence” was that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won the presidential race.