Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro chided the U.S. after Washington imposed economic sanctions against him.

"I don't take orders from the empire," Maduro told a gathering of supporters, according to Reuters. "Keep up your sanctions, Donald Trump!"

"In the United States it's possible to become president with 3 million votes less than your opponent. What a tremendous democracy!" Maduro said, referring to's loss toin the popular vote.

Maduro said the sanctions showed Trump's "desperation" and "hatred."

The Treasury Department on Monday levied economic sanctions on Maduro in retaliation for his decision to go through with elections to appoint a constitutional assembly made up of his supporters.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Maduro to its Specially Designated National sanctions list Monday.

All of Maduro's assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction were frozen, and U.S. residents are prohibited from financial transactions with him.