CARACAS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 03rd April, 2019) The Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly has approved the continuation of proceedings against opposition leader Juan Guaido.
"The National Constituent Assembly of Venezuela allows the continuation of a judicial investigation against Juan Guaido," the adopted document said.
The vote was live broadcast by local television channels.
During the meeting, the deputies called for the creation of people's courts for trials against those who follow the instructions of the United States and confiscation of their property. They also called Guaido's actions a crime against humanity.
Venezuela has been facing an acute political crisis since January 5, when Guaido was elected the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which all other government branches have been refusing to recognize since 2016. On January 23, two days after the Venezuelan Supreme Court annulled his election, Guaido declared himself the country's "interim president." Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for his second presidential term on January 10 after winning the May election, which part of the opposition boycotted, qualified Guaido's move as an attempt to stage a coup orchestrated by Washington.
The United States immediately recognized Guaido, after which some 50 other countries followed suit. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states have, in the meantime, voiced their support for the legitimate government under Maduro. Mexico and Uruguay have refused to recognize Guaido, instead declaring themselves neutral and promoting crisis settlement via dialogue.
