Venezuela: international arrest warrants against new leaders of opposition parliament

The members of this parallel parliament, elected in 2015, do not recognize the legislative elections of 2020, won by the allies of President Maduro.

MO12345LEMONDE with AFP

“We asked for an international red alert,” said Prosecutor General, Tarek William Saab. Venezuela asked Interpol to emit international arrest terms for the three members of the new management of the opposition parallel parliament, which he described as “criminals”, he announced on Monday 10 January.

A criminal court of Caracas had already issued a arrest warrant for Venezuela on Saturday against Dinorah Figuera, who lives in Spain and replaced Juan Guaido as the presidency of the National Assembly, recognized by the United States and Dozens of other countries such as the last democratically elected institution in Venezuela.

The members of this parallel parliament, elected in 2015, do not recognize the 2020 legislative elections, won by the Allies of President Maduro. The other two members of the management are Marianela Fernandez and Auristela Vasquez, who live in the United States. “We will see what Spain and the United States will make this request from the public prosecutor,” continued the Attorney General, adding that his office also asked for the “seizure and securing of assets” and “blocking and the ‘Immobilization of accounts “of interested parties.

” Usurpation of functions, betrayal, criminal association “

The three opposition officials are accused of “usurpation of functions, betrayal, criminal association and money laundering, under their participation in irregular acts linked to the fictitious appointment of the Management team of an illegitimate national assembly, “said the judicial authorities on Twitter. During a videoconferencing on Monday, M Me Figuera rejected the arrest warrant against him, recalling that she benefits from “political asylum” in Spain:

“If the dictatorship intends to take measures against the board of directors [of the assembly], in principle, it cannot do so.”

This new procedure brings to 27 the number of files opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the former majority of opposition, with 65 arrest warrants. On December 30, three of the main opposition parties approved the abolition of the “interim government” of Juan Guaido which they supported during its creation, then, on January 5, was elected a new management of the Parliament.

m. Guaido, self -proclaimed acting president in January 2019, failed to oust President Maduro from power despite broad international support. Support that has stretched as the experience seemed vain. The end of the “interim” occurs in a context of a deep opposition division, while the presidential election is planned in 2024. Primaries to designate a single candidate must take place this year.

/Media reports cited above.