Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Maduro allies press treason charges in Venezuela

-

Lawmakers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pressed treason charges Thursday against four opposition colleagues for asking the Organization of American States to intervene in the country's spiraling crisis.

By turning to the OAS, the opposition lawmakers "attacked the nation's independence, sovereignty and security," said Socialist lawmaker Carmen Melendez, summarizing the accusations presented to prosecutors.

The charge is punishable by 20 to 30 years of prison in Venezuela.

The four lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) traveled to Washington last week to meet with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and ask him to consider ways the organization could "rescue Venezuelan democracy," said one of them, Luis Florido.

The OAS is a frequent target of attacks from Maduro, who has accused the regional organization of being a lackey of American imperialism.

Oil-dependent Venezuela has descended ever deeper into economic turmoil as global crude prices have collapsed, triggering food shortages, rampant inflation and now an electricity crisis.

The center-right opposition, which won control of the legislature in elections last December, is seeking to organize a recall referendum to force Maduro from office.

Lawmakers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pressed treason charges Thursday against four opposition colleagues for asking the Organization of American States to intervene in the country’s spiraling crisis.

By turning to the OAS, the opposition lawmakers “attacked the nation’s independence, sovereignty and security,” said Socialist lawmaker Carmen Melendez, summarizing the accusations presented to prosecutors.

The charge is punishable by 20 to 30 years of prison in Venezuela.

The four lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) traveled to Washington last week to meet with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and ask him to consider ways the organization could “rescue Venezuelan democracy,” said one of them, Luis Florido.

The OAS is a frequent target of attacks from Maduro, who has accused the regional organization of being a lackey of American imperialism.

Oil-dependent Venezuela has descended ever deeper into economic turmoil as global crude prices have collapsed, triggering food shortages, rampant inflation and now an electricity crisis.

The center-right opposition, which won control of the legislature in elections last December, is seeking to organize a recall referendum to force Maduro from office.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.

Social Media

From vampires and wendigos to killer asteroids, TikTok users are pumping out outlandish end-of-the-world conspiracy theories.