Prosecutor's Office investigates Guaidó and collaborators for "kidnapping" assets

Guaidó explains the way to 'recover democracy' 1:11

(CNN Spanish) ––

The attorney general of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, announced this Thursday the beginning of a criminal investigation against the opposition leader Juan Guaidó and his collaborators, for what he called the kidnapping of assets abroad.

Which, according to the government of the questioned President Nicolás Maduro, are equivalent to 7,000 million dollars.

"This March 23 we have opened a criminal investigation on the occasion of the seizure of these resources of the Venezuelan State that could be used, among other purposes, for the attention of the covid-19 pandemic," Saab said in televised statements.

In addition, he added that so far the Prosecutor's Office has opened at least 25 cases.

As he said, these are investigating both Guaidó and others "implicated" for the alleged crimes of "usurpation of functions, corruption, terrorism and rebellion," among others.

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CNN contacted Guaidó's press team and announced that it will comment later on the matter.

Several countries, including the United States, recognize Guaidó as the president in charge of Venezuela.

The valid interlocutor is also considered to, through the granting of licenses, request the release of funds frozen abroad as part of the sanctions against Venezuelan officials and public bodies.

Among them, the Central Bank of Venezuela.

The United States and other countries based the freezing of the funds on the grounds that these state agencies have violated human rights.

They also noted that they have acted to undermine democracy.

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For his part, Maduro and his officials reject the accusations.

Along these lines, they consider that these measures constitute a blockade that prevents Venezuela from accessing resources to fight covid-19.

And, in particular, to obtain vaccines.

Juan Guaidó Tarek William Saab