WASHINGTON, June 8 (Reuters) - The United States imposed additional visa restrictions Monday on ‌more than 100 Nicaraguan officials and ‌their family members over the death of indigenous leader ​Brooklyn Rivera.

"The United States will not ignore the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship's responsibility for the horrific death of political prisoner Brooklyn Rivera," Secretary ‌of State Marco ⁠Rubio said in a statement.

Rivera, a former lawmaker, died in state ⁠custody at age 73 in May, Nicaragua's health ministry said.

Rivera, who had been detained ​since 2023, ​died from bacteria ​generated by COVID-19, Nicaragua's ‌health ministry said on May 31.

Reports of his death elicited outrage from human rights groups who said he had been subject to arbitrary detention and was a victim ‌of political persecution.

More than ​2,350 Nicaraguan officials and ​their family members ​now face visa restrictions for ‌their roles in aiding the ​country's leadership, ​according to the U.S. State Department.

"The United States stands with the Nicaraguan people ​who, like ‌Rivera, aspire to see a free ​Nicaragua," Rubio said.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson; ​Editing by Doina Chiacu)