Venezuela's "interim president" banned from leaving the country, assets frozen

Venezuelan Justice Minister Tarek Saab said on January 29 that he had asked the Supreme Court to take "precautionary measures" against National Assembly President Juan Guaido, including banning him from leaving the country or transferring assets, and freezing his bank accounts, according toAFP.

Mr Saab also asked the court to open a preliminary investigation into Juan Guaido following violence that has broken out in the country since January 22, a day before the opposition leader declared himself "interim president".

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has approved these requests.Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno said Guaido was "prohibited from leaving the country until the preliminary investigation is completed".

Caracas' move came after Washington announced it would hand over control of its assets in the US to Guaido "for the benefit of the Venezuelan people." Guaido also revealed on January 28 that he was trying to take control of Venezuela's overseas assets to "prevent President Nicolas Maduro from seizing the money."

The 35-year-old politician said he was not surprised by the attorney general's demands, describing them as part of "threats" against him and the opposition-controlled National Assembly. "I am not avoiding threats or attacks at this time. We are here and we continue our work," Guaido said.

US President Donald Trump quickly expressed support for Guaido after he declared himself "interim president" and denied Maduro's authority. Many Latin American and European countries also shared Washington's view.

However, Russia believes that the US is trying to carry out a coup in Venezuela and calls this a "shameless" act. China also sided with Maduro, declaring that it "supports the Venezuelan government's efforts to maintain the country's independence and stability."