The United States said Tuesday it would reimpose sanctions on Venezuela's oil and gas sector, after the South American country's Supreme Court barred opposition candidates from running in the presidential election. 

"Absent progress between Maduro and his representatives and the opposition Unitary Platform, particularly on allowing all presidential candidates to compete in this year's election, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, referring to a permit that authorized transactions involving the oil and gas sector.

The statement comes as Washington begins reimposing sanctions on Caracas, with the Treasury Department on Monday giving U.S. entities until February 13 to wind down transactions with Venezuelan state-owned gold mining firm Minerven.

Venezuela on Monday said it will respond in a "severe, reciprocal and strong" way if the U.S. resumes sanctions or applies sanctions against it, warning Washington against interfering in the country's internal affairs.

(With input from agencies)