Two advisors to opposition leader in Venezuela, Juan Guaido resigned on Monday over allegations of having links to a botched “invasion” of the government of President Nicolas Maduro by mercenaries.
“The political strategist Juan Jose Rendon and deputy Sergio Vergara presented their resignations” to Guaido’s team, its press team said in a statement.
The head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Guaido, is recognized by over 50 countries as the country’s acting leader. Media reports have shown that he is trying to force Maduro — who was re-elected in 2018 in a poll widely viewed as rigged — from power.
READ ALSO: Stop insulting judges on my behalf – Orji Kalu warns supporters
However, Maduro still has the backing of the powerful armed forces who stopped the attempted invasion by a small group of mercenaries just over a week ago.
Among the 45 people captured were two Americans. They were accused of taking part in the invasion, while another eight people were killed.
The Americans caught — former US soldiers Luke Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41 — have been jailed and face charges of “terrorism, conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons of war and (criminal) association.”
Guaido received the resignations of Rendon, his “general strategist,” and lawmaker Vergara, his “presidential commissioner” in crisis management, the press office said.
Maduro’s government has accused Guaido and US President Donald Trump of orchestrating the seaborne invasion, which occurred in the early hours of May 4, off Venezuela’s northern coast.
On Friday, the attorney general’s office said in statement that it was seeking approval for an international arrest warrant for both Rendon and Vergara. They now live in the United States and have been accused of signing a contract, alongside Guaido, with the private security firm Silvercorp USA charged with carrying out the invasion.
Tarek William Saab, Venezuela’s Attorney General also requested an arrest warrant for Jordan Goudreau, Silvercorp USA founder.
In a recent interview with CNN, Rendon admitted to have signed a contract with Silvercorp, although he claimed it was “exploratory” and that no go ahead was given to an operation in Venezuela. He also denied that Guaido was involved.
Rendon, in his resignation letter, accused Maduro’s government of “misrepresentation” regarding the contract, describing it as a “coarse manipulation” designed to “weave an epic to give it respite” from criticism over the country’s economic collapse.
Guaido has however termed the contract “false,” and on Friday said the regime was looking for “excuses” to apprehend him.
So far, the public prosecutor has not issued an arrest warrant against Guaido.
READ ALSO: Joe Biden’s Nomination By US Democrats May Be Done Remotely
Leave a Reply