Venezuela lawmakers loyal to Maduro open door
Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful legislature controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, on Tuesday approved a measure allowing for a trial of opposition leader Juan Guaido, in what appeared to be step toward having him arrested.
Guaido, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, in January invoked the country's constitution to assume the interim presidency after declaring President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud. He has been recognized by the United States and most other Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader, and has said he does not recognize decisions emanating from the Maduro government.
The Constituent Assembly's decree is necessary for the Supreme Court to move ahead with a trial of Guaido because as a legislator he has parliamentary immunity that makes it more difficult for him to be tried than the average citizen. "This formally authorizes the continuation of the trial (of Guaido)," said Constituent Assembly Chief Diosdado Cabello, who is also the Vice President of the Socialist Party.
The Supreme Court on Monday had reiterated a previous measure blocking Guaido from leaving the country, an order which he openly violated in February when he embarked on a tour of Latin American nations to bolster support for his campaign to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela's chief prosecutor's office has opened an investigation of Guaido, into alleged links to "incidents of violence" in January, but has not ordered his detention or officially charged him with any crime.
