Maduro made it clear on state-run TV Sunday that he wanted to strip opposition legislators of their constitutional immunity from prosecution and jail one of them, even taking to calling one of them “little Hitler.” Overnight, a candidate for the assembly, Jose Felix Pinada, was killed by a group of people who burst into his residence and opened fire. It was unclear who was behind his death.

Venezuela’s political opposition holds a majority in the country’s legislature, and they have fought back against Maduro’s rule. The constituent assembly is seen by the opposition as his way to circumvent the democratically elected body.

The Trump administration has tried to bolster the opposition as it seeks to challenge Maduro's government and prevent it from spiraling further into violence.

Vice President Mike Pence spoke with opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez about the crisis on Friday and demanded the “full and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela.” After more than three years in prison, Lopez was released earlier this month and is now under house arrest.

On July 26, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials in a bid to deter the president from holding the ANC vote.

Key Maduro allies were sanctioned, such as President of the National Electoral Council Tibisay Lucena Ramirez, Venezuela’s Ombudsman Tarek William Halabi, Commander General of the National Guard Sergio Marcano, and head of the Presidential Commission for the National Constituent Assembly Elias Jose Milano.

That round of sanctions came after the opposition held a symbolic referendum on July 16 in which more than 7 million people voted against holding a constituent assembly vote, the AP reported.

The Venezuelan government reported that more than 8 million Venezuelans voted in the ANC elections Sunday, but independent monitors disputed that figure.

The Venezuelan opposition estimates that up to 15,000 civilians have been wounded in recent protests, with over 3,000 people arrested and 431 political prisoners in detention without fair and transparent judicial process.

Nicolas Maduro was elected President of Venezuela on April 14, 2013, following the death of former President Hugo Chavez. Maduro held previous roles in the Venezuelan government, including as Executive Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

ABC News’ Benjamin Gittleson contributed to this report.

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