The United States deepened its dispute with Venezuela on Monday, blocking the U.S. assets and property of seven Venezuelan officials, prohibiting Americans from doing business with them and barring them from U.S. entry.

The new sanctions, imposed by an executive order signed by President Obama, were the second round since Congress passed authorizing legislation in December after opposition arrests and human rights abuses during anti-government protests. Several dozen Venezuelans were barred last month from obtaining U.S. visas on human rights and public corruption grounds.

Late last month, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has accused the United States of plotting to overthrow his government, ordered a sharp reduction in the number of diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.

The individuals on the new U.S. list, most of them top security officials, do not include Maduro or the National Assembly president, Diosdado Cabello, the country’s second-most powerful figure, who has strong ties to Venezuela’s military and security forces.

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