Venezuela Blocks Guaido From Office for 15 Years

• 03.29.2019, 09:25
•  Other,  World

Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido will be barred from public office for 15 years, the government comptroller said on Thursday, as it seeks to crack down on the U.S.-backed rival to President Nicolas Maduro, Reuters reported. 

Guaido has been recognized as head of state by most Western countries after invoking the constitution to assume the interim presidency, arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate and that he became a usurper when his second term began in January.

Venezuela’s comptroller, Elvis Amoroso, said Guaido had failed to explain how he paid for foreign trips since joining the opposition-run legislature. Last month, Guaido toured South American nations to drum up diplomatic support for pushing Maduro from power.

The move shows that the ruling Socialist Party, which has for more than a decade blocked rising opposition politicians through allies in the comptroller’s office, may be preparing additional measures against Guaido.

But its immediate effect appears largely symbolic.