Venezuela president blasts 'insolent' sanctions vote by U.S. Senate

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves to supporters during a meeting with the political alliance Gran Polo Patriotico (Great Patriotic Pole) in Caracas in this November 8, 2014 handout photo provided by Miraflores Palace. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday night railed against the U.S. Senate for passing a bill that would impose sanctions on government officials found to have violated protesters' rights during demonstrations earlier this year.

"Who is the U.S. Senate to come sanction the nation of Bolivar," he thundered during a military act, in reference to South America's 19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar.