Opposition Leader in Venezuela Banned from Leaving the Country

On Tuesday, February 9, the Supreme Court of Venezuela issued a travel ban and asset freeze against Juan Guaidó, the President of the National Assembly and leader of the opposition to Nicolás Maduro's government, at the request of the country's Attorney General. This comes after the United States had previously warned the Venezuelan government that any action against Guaidó would have 'serious consequences' for the regime. The Supreme Court also agreed to the Attorney General's request to initiate investigations against Guaidó. According to Reuters, this action appears to be a response to the U.S. sanctioning of Venezuela's state oil company on Monday. Attorney General Tarek Saab had asked the Supreme Court to investigate Guaidó for allegedly collaborating with foreign countries to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs. Despite Guaidó's political immunity as a member and president of the parliament, the Supreme Court quickly approved the Attorney General's request. The Supreme Court consists of 32 judges, most of whom support Nicolás Maduro. John Bolton, the White House National Security Advisor, warned on Tuesday that any harm to Guaidó or an attack on democracy would have serious repercussions. Bolton referred to Tarek Saab as the former and illegal Attorney General of Venezuela. In addition to issuing the travel ban, the Supreme Court has also frozen Guaidó's bank accounts. Meanwhile, Guaidó stated in an interview with CNN that the opposition movement can carry out a peaceful transfer of power and hold free elections afterward. He expressed confidence in achieving a peaceful transition of power and emphasized the need to pressure the dictator to relinquish power, form a transitional government, and then hold free elections. The U.S., European countries, and several countries in the Americas recognize Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela, stating that Maduro's presidency is illegal. In contrast, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Syria, China, Cuba, and Bolivia have supported Nicolás Maduro.