Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido was barred from leaving the South American country on Tuesday as President Maduro’s embattled government sought to hold on to power.
The Venezuelan Supreme Court moved to restrict Guaido’s movements and freeze all his assets amid international calls to install the lawmaker as the nation’s legitimate leader.
The supreme court’s chief prosecutor said a criminal probe into Guaido’s anti-government activities has been launched but did not announce specific charges.
Guaido declared himself interim president after a disputed election and allegations of rampant corruption among Maduro’s government.
Two dozen nations, including the US and some of Latin America’s biggest countries, have recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, while China and Russia are backing Maduro.
The political strife in the oil-rich nation has caused the US to levy sanctions against Venezuela’s state-owned petroleum company.
The Trump administration has called for Maduro to step aside and said that “all options are on the table” for his removal.
With Wires