"These reprehensible acts of violence further exemplify the regime's complete disregard for human rights and the rule of law," Blinken said in a statement on the executions of a former lawmaker, prominent activist and two others.

"The regime's sham trials and these executions are blatant attempts to extinguish democracy; these actions will never suppress the spirit of the brave people of Burma," Blinken said, using Myanmar's former name.

"The United States joins the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and calls on the regime to respect the democratic aspirations of the people who have shown they do not want to live one more day under the tyranny of military rule."

The United States has unleashed a series of sanctions since Myanmar's military toppled the civilian leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi in February last year, slamming the door on a decade of US-nurtured efforts toward democracy.

Blinken earlier this month met activists from Myanmar in Bangkok and acknowledged that there has been little progress but vowed that the United States would keep up pressure.