Guaido grapples with graft claims
CARACAS: Venezuela’s US-backed opposition leader came under increasing scrutiny on Monday for a case in which two activists allegedly misappropriated funds designated to help Venezuelan security forces who deserted and crossed into Colombia.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido said his diplomatic representative in Colombia will provide Colombian investigators with information about an opposition probe of the case. Mr Guaido, who is trying to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, says anyone found guilty of wrongdoing must be punished.
“Dictatorships cover up corruption,” Mr Guaido tweeted. “We don’t.”
Still, the alleged theft was a blow to an opposition movement that frequently accuses Mr Maduro and his associates of large-scale corruption, contributing to the economic and humanitarian crisis that Venezuela has endured for years.
Mr Maduro was quick to highlight the alleged opposition theft, saying it shows Mr Guaido’s camp cannot be trusted.
“Corruption isn’t new in the opposition,” he said. “The evidence is coming out.”
Hundreds of Venezuelan security forces heeded an opposition call to leave their posts in February, around the time that Mr Guaido tried to deliver US-provided aid from Colombia and Brazil into neighbouring Venezuela. The attempt collapsed when Venezuelan forces loyal to Mr Maduro blocked aid trucks and clashes broke out.
Many of the Venezuelan security forces who fled into Colombia ended up in limbo, staying in hotels and other lodgings with no means of supporting themselves. Working with Colombian authorities, the Venezuelan opposition set up a plan to provide food and shelter for deserters and any family members who had joined them.
Humberto Calderon Berti, the top opposition envoy in Colombia, has said he started an internal investigation into the alleged corruption two months ago after a tip from Colombian intelligence. He will present the results of the probe to the Colombian attorney general’s office, according to Mr Guaido.
The two suspects in the case were removed from their jobs after the internal investigation started, according to the Venezuelan opposition. They are currently in Colombia.
Also on Monday, Venezuelan authorities freed three anti-government figures, including Gilber Caro, a substitute member of the oppositioncontrolled National Assembly who was detained on April 26.
The releases came ahead of a visit to Venezuela this week by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, whose office says she will meet Mr Maduro and Mr Guaido, as well as “victims of human rights violations” and their relatives.
In January, Mr Guaido declared that he was the rightful leader of Venezuela and that Mr Maduro’s re-election last year was a sham. The United States led dozens of countries in recognising Mr Guaido’s claim, and imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s crippled oil industry.
Mr Maduro has defied the pressure, maintaining the support of Venezuela’s allies, Cuba and Russia.