More than 700 opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have been arrested during the latest push by Venezuela’s opposition to oust the socialist leader.
CARACAS, Venezuela — More than 700 opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have been arrested during the latest push by Venezuela’s opposition to oust the socialist leader.
But there’s one anti-government activist security forces notably haven’t touched: Juan Guaido, the lawmaker who declared himself interim president in a direct challenge to Maduro’s rule.
Maduro’s refusal, at least so far, to order Guaido’s arrest reflects mistrust in his own security forces as well as the Trump administration’s warning that any harm to the man the U. S. recognizes as Venezuela’s legitimate leader would be crossing a dangerous red line.
The U. S. administration reiterated that threat Monday in announcing sweeping sanctions against Venezuela’s state oil company.
Any actions taken against U. S. diplomats, Guaido or the National Assembly he presides over would be considered a “grave assault” that “will be met with a significant response,” U. S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said.
While he didn’t specify what actions the U. S. might take, he reaffirmed that all options for dealing with Venezuela’s crisis remain on the table, including use of the military.
“They won’t dare touch Guaido,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.
