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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been granted the power to govern by decree until 31 December, the BBC reported.

The measure was approved by the National Assembly, where Mr Maduro has a majority.

He requested the approval of the Enabling Law after the United States issued new sanctions against Venezuelan officials.

The opposition says he is using the incident to amass power and divert attention from the economic crisis.

Mr Maduro said he needed the special powers to deal with the threat posed by the United States, which he accuses of meddling in Venezuela's affairs.

National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello led a group of politicians who went in person to hand over the new legislation to Mr Maduro outside the Miraflores presidential palace.

"They know they have made a big mistake," said National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello. "This is an act of aggression against all free countries in the world who are not willing to accept American imperialism."

Mr Maduro addressed thousands of people who joined them in an "anti-imperialist" demonstration.

"They may have the power of the dollar and the power of the media, but we something they don't have: the power of integrity," said Mr Maduro.

"This legislation gives me the power to defend peace and sovereignty."