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Tension in the National Assembly between Guaidó and Parra 0:52
(CNN Spanish) - Venezuelan deputy Luis Parra, whom the ruling party and some dissenting opponents recognize as president of the National Assembly, rejected the sanctions announced by the US Department of the Treasury against him and other legislators.
In a statement, Parra considered "unacceptable that foreign countries intend to condition the performance and freedom of conscience of our parliamentarians."
Earlier, the Treasury Department announced that Parra and six other deputies were added to the list of the Office for the Control of Foreign Assets. In it are "individuals, groups and entities such as terrorists and drug traffickers" whose assets are blocked. In addition, Americans - people and businesses - cannot make transactions with the sanctioned.
Parra comes from the First Justice ranks and supported Juan Guaidó until December 2019, when he was the subject of several allegations of corruption and separated from several legislative commissions. He denies the accusations and says he is part of a "dirty war."
The questioned president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, recognized Parra as president of the National Assembly, although there is no voting record that elected him.
Guaidó, on the other hand, was re-elected president of the National Assembly in a session that was held outside the premises of the National Assembly, with a nominal and face-to-face vote 100 deputies, between principals and alternates.
The State Department said the sanctions announced against Parra and other deputies would be lifted if they decide to support Guaidó.
Luis Parra