Crackdown on Guaido allies

Venezuela: Opposition politicians seek sanctuary in embassies

CARACAS: Two Venezuelan politicians sought refuge at foreign embassies in Caracas yesterday, as the government of President Nicolas Maduro cracked down on allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido who supported his attempted uprising last week.

Richard Blanco, of the Brave Peoples’ Alliance party, entered Argentina’s embassy, while Americo De Grazia, of the Radical Cause party, sought refuge at Italy’s embassy, witnesses said.

The moves came the day after authorities arrested Edgar Zambrano, the oppositionrun National Assembly’s vicepresident.

Blanco, Zambrano and De Grazia were among 10 politicians stripped of congressional immunity this week by the Supreme Court, which said they should be investigated for crimes including conspiracy, treason and rebellion.

Marianella Magallanes, another politician, took refuge in the Italian embassy on Thursday.

The opposition does not recognise the Supreme Court’s decisions, claiming Maduro has stocked it with his own supporters. The United States has threatened to impose sanctions on all of the court’s members.

Venezuela’s information ministry, Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, and Italy’s embassy in Caracas did not respond to requests for comment.

‘‘He [Blanco] is there as a guest, we can confirm that,’’ an Argentine foreign ministry official said, on condition of anonymity.

Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, arguing Maduro’s 2018 reelection was illegitimate. About 50 countries, including the US and much of Latin America, have recognised Guaido as the country’s leader.

Maduro’s government has so far avoided arresting Guaido, which would probably provoke a strong international backlash. But the ruling Socialist Party may be seeking to isolate him by pursuing key political allies.

‘‘We take it as a given that the regime is going to keep escalating its repression,’’ Guaido said at a news conference, referring to Zambrano’s arrest. He called for Venezuelans to take to the streets this weekend for fresh protests against Maduro. — Reuters

PHOTO: AP Refuge . . . Motorbikes sit in the driveway of the Brazilian ambassador’s residence in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. Some oppositioncontrolled National Assembly members are seeking refuge in diplomatic missions.