Venezuelan opposition leader prepares for possible arrest
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, after being stripped of his immunity from prosecution, said he was prepared for the possibility of being arrested.
Mr Guaido also said he planned to have allies continue the protest movement he leads.
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| Mr. Juan Guaido. Photo: Bloomberg |
"In case of arrest, I have a complete strategy ready to not only continue the leadership, but also to increase the pressure," Mr. Guaido said in an interview after a conference on the opposition's policy plan to overcome Venezuela's crisis.
On April 3, the Venezuelan Constitutional Council approved a request to strip "self-proclaimed President" Juan Guaido of immunity from prosecution.
The decision came a day after Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) recommended stripping Guaido, who is currently president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, of his immunity from prosecution.
The decision to strip Mr. Guaido of his immunity from prosecution is seen as a move that paves the way for legal proceedings against the 35-year-old politician.
Previously, on March 28, Venezuela's National Auditor General Elvis Amoroso announced that Venezuelan opposition congressman, who self-proclaimed himself "interim President" of the country, Juan Guaido, was banned from holding any public office for 15 years.
According to Mr. Amoroso, the decision is based on Article 105 of the Organic Law of the Auditor General, which allows the application of sanctions to remove public officials. Mr. Guaido is accused of not providing information about his assets, receiving payments from irregular sources and being unable to explain the origin of accommodation and travel expenses for trips inside and outside the country.
Juan Guaido, who declared himself "interim president" of Venezuela on January 23, led the opposition to organize protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro and demanded that Mr. Maduro give up power, calling for new elections.
Mr. Guaido's move escalated the economic and social crisis in Venezuela to a new level of tension, as the US and Western countries supported him, while Russia, China and a number of South American countries supported the government of constitutional President Maduro, declared their support for Caracas and declared that any external intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs is a violation of international law.