URGENT-U.S. sanctions Venezuela counterintelligence agency after death of navy captain

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

The U.S. Treasury said on its website that it had sanctioned the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence but gave no further details.

President Nicolas Maduro's government confirmed the death on June 29 of 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 the clarify the circumstances.