Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro lashed out at the United States on Monday night after President Trump called him a "dictator" and US officials slapped the leader with sanctions over a controversial election.

"You are either with Trump or you are with Venezuela. You are either with Trump or with democracy," Maduro told Venezuelans as he received the first official results from Sunday's election establishing a new legislative body made up entirely of his supporters.

Maduro said Trump is "making the biggest mistake of his life in messing" with the country.

Earlier, US national security adviser H.R. McMaster said Maduro "joins a very exclusive club," comparing him to leaders such as Syria's Bashar al-Assad and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The sanctions by the US Treasury Department froze Maduro's assets subject to US jurisdiction and barred US citizens from dealing with him.

The sanctions sent a clear signal of the Trump administration's opposition to Maduro's regime.

"Why are they sanctioning me? Because I don't comply with foreign governments? Because I don't wag my tail and am not a stray dog?" Maduro said.

Maduro's comments came hours after Venezuela's attorney general lambasted the election.

"This is the end of freedom of expression, and this freedom has been battered for some time now," Attorney General Luisa Ortega said Monday.

"This is a smokescreen to hide the corruption and crisis that Venezuela faces. But they will have to climb over the institution that I represent, the people of Venezuela and our constitution."

But that constitution is now in jeopardy.

Maduro declared a victory in a vote that much of the world -- and many of his own citizens -- have called a sham and an assault on democracy.

The election could replace the current legislative body, the National Assembly, with a new, 545-member Constituent Assembly, all nominated by his administration.

The new, pro-Maduro assembly will have the power to rewrite Venezuela's constitution.

"We have a Constituent Assembly. I said, come hell or high water-- and hell and high water came -- and the Constituent Assembly arrived from the hand of the people, from its conscience," Maduro said.

Maduro argued that the Constituent Assembly will help bring peace to a polarized country, with all branches of the government falling under the political movement founded by his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

But the opposition boycotted the election, calling it fraudulent, and saying the Constituent Assembly will erode democracy.

The US State Department said the elections were "designed to replace the legitimately elected National Assembly and undermine the Venezuelan people's right to self-determination."

Maduro's sham election is another step toward dictatorship. We won't accept an illegit govt. The Venezuelan ppl & democracy will prevail. — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) July 30, 2017

Ortega, the country's attorney general, said she "will not tolerate this and will not stand down. I will continue to be vocal about human rights abuses."

Earlier this year, Ortega had her assets frozen and was ordered not to leave the country, but she has managed to stay in power.

"This is why they want to get rid of me," she said. "I am bothersome for those involved in corruption."

Turnout disputed

Venezuela's National Electoral Council said more than 8 million people, about 41.53% of registered voters, cast ballots Sunday. That marked "the biggest turnout that the Bolivarian Revolution has had in its entire 18-year history," Maduro claimed.

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But National Assembly President Julio Borges tweeted that the claim of 8 million voters was almost triple the actual turnout and marked "the biggest electoral fraud in our history."

The National Electoral Council hasn't announced the formal results, but since the opposition boycotted the election and didn't put up any candidates of its own, a victory for Maduro's side is guaranteed.

On top of that, first lady Cilia Flores and pro-Maduro former Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez both received enough votes to become members of the Constituent Assembly.

Key opposition figure and Miranda state Gov. Henrique Capriles said voter participation Sunday was less than 15%. He claimed voter turnout was three times higher two weeks ago for an opposition-led, nonbinding referendum against Maduro's proposed Constituent Assembly.

On July 16, more than 7 million Venezuelans cast ballots in an unofficial vote against Maduro's Constituent Assembly. Maduro ignored the results of the vote.

Power struggle

Young Venezuelans have taken to the streets for months to protest the vote, known locally as "la constituyente," or the constituent. The Venezuelan National Guard and protesters clash nearly every day.

Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A costumed demonstrator in Caracas, Venezuela, protests the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday, August 6. Unrest continued to sweep through the country after a new legislative assembly was inaugurated following a controversial election on July 30. The new assembly has wide-ranging powers and is expected to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution at Maduro's behest. Opposition supporters, who see the vote as a power grab and an erosion of democracy, boycotted and staged demonstrations against the vote. Hide Caption 1 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Soldiers stop a vehicle and detain its passengers on the Paramacay military base in Valencia, Venezuela, on August 6. According to authorities, two people were killed when an anti-government paramilitary attack was quelled at the base. Hide Caption 2 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Anti-government activists stand near a flaming barricade in Valencia on August 6. Hide Caption 3 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A man is arrested in Valencia during clashes between anti-government activists and the National Guard on August 6. Hide Caption 4 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Members of the Venezuelan armed forces fly over Valencia in a helicopter while citizens demonstrate in support of a group that staged a paramilitary uprising at the Paramacay military base on August 6. Hide Caption 5 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Venezuela's Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, third from left, is surrounded by employees of the General Prosecutor's office as she is barred by security forces from entering her office in Caracas on Saturday, August 5. Hide Caption 6 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Diosdado Cabello, a member of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, holds an image of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez as delegates gather for a group photo following their swearing-in ceremony on Friday, August 4. Hide Caption 7 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition activists protest against the newly inaugurated National Constituent Assembly on August 4. Hide Caption 8 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A woman in Caracas attends a vigil Monday, July 31, for anti-government activists who have died in the country's recent unrest. More than 120 people have been killed in Venezuela since early April, according to the attorney general's office. Hide Caption 9 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens addresses a rally in Caracas on July 31. Two other leading opposition figures, Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma, were rounded up from their homes, according to their families. Hide Caption 10 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Maduro celebrates the results of a national vote on Sunday, July 30. His opponents boycotted the election and demonstrated against it for weeks, saying he orchestrated it to get around the existing National Assembly, which the opposition has controlled since 2015. Maduro has argued that the Constituent Assembly will help bring peace to a polarized country, with all branches of the government falling under the political movement founded by his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Hide Caption 11 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Members of Venezuela's national police are caught in an explosion as they ride motorcycles near Altamira Square in Caracas on July 30. Venezuela has seen widespread unrest since March 29, when the Supreme Court dissolved Parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The decision was later reversed, but protests have continued across the country, which is also in the midst of an economic crisis. Hide Caption 12 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A wounded anti-government demonstrator is helped by medics during clashes with police in Caracas on July 30. Hide Caption 13 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A demonstrator shouts slogans through a traffic cone during an anti-government protest in Caracas on July 30. Hide Caption 14 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A protester wounded by a pellet gun receives attention July 30 during a demonstration against the vote for a Constituent Assembly. Hide Caption 15 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A member of the National Guard fires at protesters during clashes in Caracas on Friday, July 28. Hide Caption 16 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A demonstrator dressed as Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar is silhouetted against a national flag in Caracas on Monday, July 24. Hide Caption 17 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan police Officer Oscar Perez joins in an anti-government protest in Caracas on Thursday, July 13. Perez allegedly piloted a stolen police helicopter used to attack the Venezuelan Supreme Court with grenades on June 27. Hide Caption 18 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan lawmakers Luis Stefanelli, left, and Jose Regnault appear stunned in a corridor of the National Assembly after a clash with demonstrators in Caracas on Wednesday, July 5. Supporters of Maduro stormed the building and attacked opposition lawmakers, witnesses said. At least seven legislative employees and five lawmakers were injured, according to National Assembly President Julio Borges. Journalists said they were also assaulted. Hide Caption 19 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela National Guard members clash with deputies of the National Assembly in the Parliament's courtyard in Caracas on Tuesday, June 27. Hide Caption 20 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A boy runs under a national flag during a June 27 protest in Caracas. Hide Caption 21 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Protesters tear down a fence at the La Carlota airbase outside Caracas on Friday, June 23. A soldier shot a demonstrator through the fence at the base on the previous day, killing him. Hide Caption 22 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Hide Caption 23 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Protester David Jose Vallenilla is shot through a fence by a member of the National Guard near a military base in Caracas on Thursday, June 22. Vallenilla later died in the hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds to the chest. Hide Caption 24 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Maduro holds up a copy of the Venezuelan constitution during a news conference at the presidential palace in Caracas on June 22. Maduro has called for changes to the constitution amid the unrest. Hide Caption 25 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A protester hides behind a barrier in Caracas on June 22. Hide Caption 26 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela An opposition activist displays bullet shells during an anti-government demonstration on Monday, June 19. Hide Caption 27 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela People flee during a clash between opposition demonstrators and riot police in Caracas on June 19. Hide Caption 28 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition activists aim projectiles toward riot police during a demonstration on June 19. Hide Caption 29 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Demonstrators stand in front of a police vehicle on June 19. Hide Caption 30 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A street in eastern Caracas is painted with the names of people killed during more than two months of protests. Hide Caption 31 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela During a "Grandparents' March" in Caracas, a man is blocked by police from reaching the Government Ombudsman's Office on Friday, May 12. Hide Caption 32 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition activists scuffle with riot police in Caracas on May 12. Hide Caption 33 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Thousands of Venezuelan protesters march on a Caracas highway on Wednesday, May 10. Hide Caption 34 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition activists clash with riot police in Caracas on Monday, May 8. Hide Caption 35 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Hide Caption 36 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela An armored National Guard vehicle runs over a protester in Caracas on Wednesday, May 3. The protester, 22-year-old Pedro Michell Yaminne, survived, his mother told CNN. Interior and justice minister Nestor Reverol told reporters that the "lamentable" incident was under investigation. He said that moments before Yaminne was run over, demonstrators hurled a Molotov cocktail at the armored vehicle, opened the side door and "brutally assaulted" the driver. Hide Caption 37 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A demonstrator catches fire during protests in Caracas on May 3. It happened as protesters clashed with police and the gas tank of a police motorcycle exploded. Other photos from the scene showed the man being attended for burns to his body. Hide Caption 38 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A demonstrator stands in front of an armored vehicle during protests in Caracas on Wednesday, April 19. Hide Caption 39 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Opposition leader Henrique Capriles reacts to tear gas during a protest on April 19. Hide Caption 40 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Riot police clash with demonstrators while tear gas fills the air in Caracas on April 19. Hide Caption 41 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Rescue workers tend to a demonstrator hit by a tear gas canister during anti-government protests on April 19. Hide Caption 42 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A demonstrator reacts during a march in Caracas on Saturday, April 15. Hide Caption 43 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela A protester suffering from the effects of tear gas is carried away on Thursday, April 13. Hide Caption 44 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Clouds of tear gas spread across a highway in Caracas during clashes on Monday, April 10. Hide Caption 45 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Demonstrators help a journalist whose leg was injured while covering clashes in Caracas on April 10. Hide Caption 46 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Thousands of demonstrators protest against Maduro in Caracas on Saturday, April 8. Hide Caption 47 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan police line up before clashing with opposition activists on Thursday, April 6. Hide Caption 48 of 49 Photos: Crisis in Venezuela Demonstrators fight with national police officers in Caracas on Tuesday, April 4. Hide Caption 49 of 49

Maduro's opponents control the National Assembly, holding 112 of the body's 167 seats. The opposition has been battling with him for political power since they won a majority of seats in December 2015.

But before the winners of those elections took office, Maduro stacked the country's Supreme Court with loyalists to prevent his own impeachment.

Speaking after Sunday's controversial election, Maduro claimed that the opposition turned down an offer from his government to postpone the vote.

Two weeks ago, representatives of his government offered the opposition the chance to put up candidates for the Constituent Assembly election and to postpone the vote for 15 days, Maduro said. But the opposition refused Maduro's offer, calling the vote illegitimate, the President said.

More violence feared

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About 200 people gathered Monday night for a vigil in Caracas to honor the more than 121 killed in protests since April. They also gathered in opposition to the election results.

"I will always be in favor of personal sanctions in the name of human rights," said Juan Manuel Olivares, a lawmaker who is part of the opposition coalition. "I believe Nicolás Maduro has to explain if he has fortunes abroad ... if he has estate in the United States."

Maria Gabriela Hernandez, a lawmaker from Monagas, said the country needs humanitarian aid and medicine.

"Our people are dying. ... We will bounce back quickly, but we need help," she said.

On Sunday alone, 10 people were killed, including two teenagers. The attorney general's office said a National Guard officer was also killed.

As dozens of police officers on motorcycles rode through a Caracas neighborhood, a large explosion went off. Agence France-Presse video captured footage of two officers, each with a leg on fire.

On Monday, the attorney general decried the dozens of deaths and said the government doesn't care.

"The government dances and laughs while our people are dying," Ortega said. "This is the state of the country."

What's next for Venezuela?

Many world leaders say the vote erased any last traces of democracy in Venezuela.

One of Maduro's top administration officials, Diosdado Cabello, said the Constituent Assembly would establish a "truth commission" to prosecute political opponents

Police tactics could intensify, too. On Sunday, police motorcycle brigades fired tear gas, and video surfaced showing law enforcement beating up an unarmed man.

While the sanctions could ultimately worsen the county's food shortages, some protesters say it's a risk they're willing to take, since it might drive more Venezuelans to try to push out their government.

"The sanctions that will come from the United States -- I'm not looking forward to them because that afflicts us as people," said a 33-year old protester who identified himself only as Victor.

"But I want it because I know it can create enough pressure on the government."

International condemnation ... and praise

After the US sanctions on Venezuelan officials, Mexico, Colombia and Panama followed with their own sanctions against the same people. Brazil, Canada and Guatemala denounced the vote. And the Organization of American States deems the vote illegal.

But Nicaragua came to Venezuela's defense, praising it for the "historic day for the brave people."

Bolivia, too, defied international claims the election was a sham. Its foreign ministry called for the world "to respect the democratic process taking place in Venezuela, in which only the citizens of this country can define their future in the Constituent Assembly."