US Envoy Abrams Promises Major Reaction If Guaido Arrested Upon Return To Venezuela

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 02nd March, 2019) The United States is concerned about Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's ability to return to the country and warns about a major international reaction in case of the self-proclaimed president's arrest, US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters during a press briefing on Friday.

Guaido crossed into Colombia on February 23 in defiance of a Venezuelan Supreme Court order barring him from leaving the country due to an ongoing investigation. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said earlier this week that Guaido must face trial after his return for breaking the travel ban.

"We, I think and many other countries, are very concerned about interim president Guaido's ability to go back home," Abrams said. "I think that if he were arrested on his return, you would see a very large reaction on the part of the Venezuelan people and on the part of the international community."

Deputy Judge of the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice Juan Carlos Valdez told Sputnik on Tuesday that Guaido may face up to 30 years in jail as he breached his foreign travel ban. He added that the prosecution was analyzing possible crimes committed by Guaido.

Since his departure, Guaido has visited Columbia, Brazil and Paraguay, where he met with the leaders of the three countries.

The US-backed opposition leader said that he plans to return to Venezuela despite the risk of arrest.

Tensions in Venezuela escalated in late January when Guaido declared himself interim president. The United States immediately recognized Guaido, and a number of its allies followed suit. Maduro has accused Guaido of conspiring with the United States to overthrow the country's legitimate government.

Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other countries have reaffirmed their support for Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president. The United Nations also still recognizes the Maduro government.