Venezuela rebuked as opposition deputy is towed to cells in his car
VENEZUELA’S government was denounced yesterday for the arrest of opposition leader Juan Guaidó’s deputy, which the European Union described as “another flagrant violation” of the country’s constitution.
Edgar Zambrano, the vice-president of the national assembly, which Mr Guaidó leads, had his car surrounded on Wednesday night by agents from Sebin, the military intelligence service. When he refused to get out of the car, a tow truck was used to take Mr Zambrano to El Helicoide, Sebin’s headquarters and cells.
“We warn the people of Venezuela and the international community: the regime has kidnapped the first vicepresident,” said Mr Guaidó.
“They are trying to destroy the power representing all Venezuelans, but they will not achieve it.”
At the end of March, Roberto Marrero, Mr Guaidó’s chief of staff, was also arrested by Sebin – dragged from his home in a dawn raid. Mr Guaido himself had his parliamentary immunity stripped on April 2, but so far Nicolás Maduro’s regime has not dared to detain him. Mr Guaidó, head of the national assembly, was declared interim president on Jan 23 and has been recognised as the country’s legitimate leader by more than 50 countries.
Mr Maduro, however, is clinging on – despite an uprising last week which saw thousands of protesters and some military defectors take to the streets to back Mr Guaidó.
Mr Zambrano is one of 10 opposition officials charged with treason, conspiracy and rebellion by the pro-maduro Supreme Court.
Donald Trump, the US president, who was the first world leader to recognise Mr Guaidó, was today reported to be questioning his administration’s strategy and accusing his advisers of underestimating Mr Maduro.
Mr Trump described Mr Maduro as “a tough cookie”, according to three senior officials who spoke to The Washington Post.
They told the newspaper that Mr Trump felt he was misled, and added that the president had accused John Bolton, his national security adviser, of wanting to get the US “into a war”.
But Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who has emerged as one of the most influential voices in the administration on Venezuela, insisted that Mr Trump was unwavering in his commitment to oust Mr Maduro.