Carlos Vecchio, whom the United States government recognizes as Venezuela’s ambassador, denounced this Thursday that the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro has taken “tangible steps” to stop opposition leader Juan Guaidó and other Venezuelan democratic leaders.
“Taking advantage of the fact that the focus of international attention is on the conflict in Ukraine, Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship prepares the ground to imprison Interim President Juan Guaidóto deputies of the legitimate National Assembly, journalists, and social and political leaders who fight for democracy and freedom,” Vecchio said in a statement.
The US does not recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela and considers Guaidó the interim president of that country since January 23, 2019as head of the National Assembly, then under opposition control, proclaimed himself as such.
Vecchio detailed in the statement the “tangible steps” that in his opinion announce a possible arrest of Guaidó and other opponents and said he had informed the Joe Biden government of them.
“This is not the first time that the dictatorship has used these procedures of intimidation, threats and judicial persecution in a similar context, which indicates that these threats must be taken seriously,” he said.
The assistant secretary of the Department of State for Hemispheric Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, tweeted this Thursday: “The Maduro regime threatens @jguaido and the democratically elected @AsambleaVE, interferes in the elections, and refuses to re-negotiate with the political opposition because it fears the will of the Venezuelan people”.
“Why attack Venezuelans just for looking for a better future?” Nichols asked.
Vecchio mentioned that Chavista leader Diosdado Cabello recently showed posters with the legend “Wanted” with photos of Guaidó and others and a few days later, “illegitimate” deputies delivered a document to the Prosecutor’s Office in which they “demand justice and an end to impunity against Juan Guaidó.”
That same day, adds Vecchio, Maduro threatened Guaidó with jail with a phrase in which he alluded to the Tocorón prison.
In the “illegitimate” National Assembly, a project was presented in which “the Public Ministry is urged to investigate the punishable acts committed by Mr. Juan Guaidó and exercise the corresponding criminal actions,” according to Vecchio’s statement.
in the same text It is emphasized that Maduro has prevented “once again” the Venezuelan people from expressing their will through a recall referendum of Maduro’s mandate.
“Venezuelans need the solid and multilateral support of the international democratic community to stop the tragedy generated by the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro, with the support of countries such as Russia and China, in Venezuela. Failure to do so has a very high cost: the lives of Venezuelans,” he concluded.
Guaido accused this Wednesday the Chavista regime of being “afraid of the will of the people” due to the conditions imposed by the National Electoral Council (CNE) to gather support to activate a referendum to revoke Nicolás Maduro from the position of president.
“Out of fear of the will of the people today, once again, the dictatorship committed a fraud”, Guaidó wrote on Twitter.
“They are a minority and they snatched the plebiscite event without keeping any form. We are going to insist on conditions for free and fair elections, where the will of Venezuelans is respected”, added the former head of the National Assembly.
(With information from EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com