Guaido says police came to his home
Venezuela’s National Assembly leader Juan Guaido said a special police squad accused of extrajudicial killings visited his home Thursday, days after the authoritarian regime restricted his travel. The force’s commander denied it happened.
During a news conference on the opposition’s economic plans, Guaido, who is gathering international support in his bid to unseat President Nicolas Maduro, abruptly announced that the feared Special Action Force had come to his house.
“They came into my home asking for Fabiana,” Guaido said, referring to his partner, who accompanied him on stage. “I hold the armed forces and police responsible for anything that happens to my baby, who is just 20 months old.”
The authoritarian regime has left Guaido free to hold meetings andpresshis case that he is thenation’s rightful leader, though this week it said it would bar him from leaving the country and that it had frozen his bank account.
As Guaido has rallied international support to his side, officials from other countries have warned the Maduro regime not to harm him.
“There will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harmGuaido,” U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said in a tweet this week. The European Union on Thursday said it would consider sanctions ifVenezuela doesn’tmove toward new and fair elections.
A U.S. official told reporters in a briefing Thursday thatwhoever in theMaduro regimewas responsible for the incident at Guaido’s home could face consequences, including exclusion from an amnesty deal, shouldMaduro agree to step down. The official noted the U.S.’ longstanding military relationship with Colombia but said Guaido hasn’t requested any American assistance beyond humanitarian aid.