Maduro defends complaint against the United States in The Hague and says that Guaidó "will have the time"

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Stock photo. Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela. (Credit: FEDERICO PARRA / AFP via Getty Images)

(CNN) - The besieged president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, held a press conference in Caracas with international media on Friday, a day after the Venezuelan government filed a formal lawsuit against the United States in The Hague, accusing the Donald administration Trump of "crimes against humanity."

"We had no other option, seeking justice is our only option," Maduro said in defending the lawsuit against the United States by saying.

"Enough of sanctions, criminal blockades, attacks against the people of Venezuela," Maduro said. "I announced, 'I order that we go immediately to the court of justice, to the International Criminal Court and demand justice, we demand the United States Government', and that is what we have done."

• Venezuelan Foreign Minister travels to The Hague to denounce the US for alleged "crimes against humanity"

During the press conference, a journalist asked Maduro why the leader of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, had not been arrested after despite orders to leave the country, to which Maduro replied: “The day That the courts of the Republic give the mandate to detain Mr. Juan Guaidó for all the crimes he has committed, that day he goes to jail, rest assured. That day has not come, but it will come. ”

Maduro also requested the support of the UN and the international community in its decision to lodge a complaint with the International Criminal Court against the United States.

The president of Venezuela explained that "it may not be possible for the US government to prohibit the use and trade of goods." It is a violation of the UN system and international law. ”

The Maduro government is already being denounced by six countries before the ICC for crimes against humanity for their actions against protesters. When CNN asked if his administration was responding to that demand, as well as the one filed on Tuesday, Maduro said his Foreign Minister "had no time for such matters."

- Of Stefano Pozzebon of CNN in Caracas and Jackie Castillo in Atlanta.

Nicolás Maduro