Venezuela accuses opposition leader, aides of 'destabilizing actions'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
21 Mar 2024 13:42

Several warrants have been issued and arrests made against the opposition in recent days.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado arrives at her headquarters to give a press conference regarding the arrest order for her campaign manager and eight other opposition members, March 20, 2024. (AP)

Venezuela's Attorney General accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of complicity in "destabilizing actions" against the Venezuelan state following her disqualification from the presidential elections in July.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab also revealed the arrest that two of Machado's aides and officials in her Vente Venezuela political party, Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernandez, were arrested for the same charges.

According to Saab, the opposition's plot was to incite an anti-state uprising by rallying "the masses using labor and student unions to incentivize a military wing".

In the past few days, seven other aides have been arrested, while warrants have been issued for several others on similar charges.

To prove the allegations, Saab presented a confession by one of the detainees, Emil Brandt Ulloa, who admitted the plot was devised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Maduro alerts military to new 'terrorist' threats

Earlier on Tuesday, Maduro warned against potential conspiracies and terrorist schemes orchestrated by certain factions within the country.

In a post on X, he emphasized the importance of safeguarding Venezuela's economic recovery efforts and ensuring the smooth conduct of the upcoming electoral event scheduled for July 28.

Llamo a la FANB, a los organismos de inteligencia y al pueblo a estar en máxima alerta ante las conspiraciones y los planes terroristas que los apellidos y la oligarquía planifican en contra del pueblo. Qué nadie venga a perturbar la recuperación económica y la fiesta electoral… pic.twitter.com/i7dgFvGqKK
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) March 19, 2024

Maduro's call seemingly emphasized a firm stance against terrorism and sabotage, urging all stakeholders to remain proactive in protecting the nation's stability and progress.

This comes shortly after Maduro accepted the nomination for re-election in July from the country's ruling party, PSUV, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela founded by the late President Hugo Chavez.

The President denounced on Saturday the sabotage, coups, and mercenary operations and emphasized that people have always won and will continue to do so.

He stressed that a tremendous popular victory was on the verge, adding that ''nothing and no one will take the victory from our hands.''