U.S. imposes sanctions on three Venezuelans under drug kingpin rules

By Roberta Rampton and Alexandra Ulmer WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three Venezuelans and 20 companies for narcotics trafficking activity, as it seeks to increase pressure on socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Of the newly sanctioned companies, 16 are based in Venezuela and four in Panama. They are owned or controlled by the three individuals, the U.S. Treasury said in a statement on its website. "We will deny corrupt Venezuelan regime official