Electoral authorities in Venezuela say the Socialist Party has won 17 of 23 state governorships in a crushing victory.

President Nicolas Maduro hailed it as a victory for chavismo, his party’s brand of socialism named after former president Hugo Chavez.

But opposition leaders alleged fraud.

The Democratic Union Roundtable coalition has refused to recognise the result and demanded a complete audit, campaign director Gerardo Blyde said.

Polls had suggested the opposition would win between 11 and 18 governorships.

Venezuela has faced serious food shortages, economic crisis and political violence this year, including the deaths of more than 100 people at protests.

Earlier this year the US placed sanctions on some Venezuelan officials. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the country would not ignore Mr Maduro’s “ongoing efforts to undermine democracy, freedom, and the rule of law”.

Mr Maduro called the sanctions “illegal, insolent and unprecedented” and asked: “Who do these imperialists in the United States think they are?”

BBC