Venezuela’s prosecutor’s office announced on Friday the opening of an investigation for “treason” against opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, accusing her of supporting American sanctions intended to oust President Nicolas Maduro after his contested re-election.
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“ The public prosecutor has decided to open an investigation » about Maria Corina Machado « to charge him because of his support » presumed to be included in the bill UNITED STATES toughening sanctions, he announced in a press release. “ The declarations » by Maria Corina Machado on the bill « constitute […] a betrayal of the homeland ” And ” a conspiracy with foreign countries », specifies the text.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bolivar bill on Monday, which must still receive the green light from the Senate and the president’s signature to take effect. The text prohibits the United States from signing contracts with persons doing business “ with the illegitimate government of Nicolas Maduro » or any other “ not recognized as legitimate by the United States “.
Caracas described this text as “ criminal attack “, considering that the law violated the Charter of the United Nations, and adds to more than “ 930 unilateral and extraterritorial coercive measures » imposed in Caracas, which thus qualifies the American sanctions.
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During his first term (2017-2021), President-elect Donald Trump imposed a policy of maximum pressure against Nicolas Maduro, toughening financial sanctions and establishing an oil embargo. Nicolas Maduro was proclaimed winner of the July presidential election by the National Electoral Council – considered to be on the orders of those in power – which, however, did not publish the exact count of the polling stations, citing computer hacking, considered not credible by some. many observers.
The opposition, which claims fraud, produced reports from more than 80% of the polling stations and ensures that its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won with more than 67% of the votes. These minutes were accused of “ fake » by power.
Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who showed up at short notice to replace Maria Corina Machado who was declared ineligible, found refuge in Spain in September while Maria Corina Machado, who regularly appears on social networks or in the media, lives in hiding in Venezuela since the election. The United States has not recognized Nicolas Maduro’s victory, but this week recognized Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the president-elect.
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