The Americas

Venezuela lawmakers strip opposition leader of his immunity

Associated Press
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Juan Guaido, President of National Assembly and self-proclaimed interim president waves to the gallery during a session of the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Venezuela's chief justice on Monday asked lawmakers of the rival pro-government National Constituent Assembly to strip Guaido of his parliamentary immunity, taking a step toward prosecuting him for alleged crimes as he seeks to oust President Nicolas Maduro.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

National Constituent Assembly members attend a session in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Lawmakers loyal to President Nicolas Maduro considered whether to strip National Assembly leader Juan Guaido of immunity on Tuesday in a move that would pave the way to prosecute and potentially arrest him for allegedly violating the constitution after declaring himself interim president. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuelan lawmakers loyal to President Nicolas Maduro have stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido of his immunity from prosecution.

The move by the government-backed National Constituent Assembly on Tuesday paves the way for Guaido's prosecution, and possibly his arrest.

But it is still unclear whether Maduro will actively threaten Guaido, who has embarked on an international campaign to topple the president's socialist administration.

Up until now, Maduro has avoided throwing the 35-year-old lawmaker in jail — a man that the U.S. and roughly 50 other nations have recognized as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

In January, Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president and vowed to overthrow Maduro.

Maduro blames Washington for trying to install a puppet government to seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves.