The Venezuelan president toughened his offensive against the opposition and targeted López directly, whom he blames for promoting sanctions and encouraging foreign actions against his government.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, confirmed this Saturday who requested the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) withdraw the nationality of the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopezwhom he accused of “criminal“for his”call for foreign military intervention” after an interview in which the political exile stated that we should “advance towards objectives within the national territory.”
As detailed, the formal request was presented on Friday before the highest court and relies on the article 130 of the Venezuelan Constitutionwhich obliges citizens to “honor and defend the homeland.” In that framework, Maduro maintained that López “permanently promotes the economic blockade” and seeks to “undermine national independence in complicity with foreign enemies.”.
“No traitor will have the rights of a citizen”
Maduro stated that the State “will not allow sovereignty to be attacked from outside” and anticipated that the opponent could lose his passport and his rights as a Venezuelan citizen.
“He who calls for a military invasion against his own country ceases to be Venezuelan in fact“said the president, confirming that the Chancellery and the Identification and Immigration Service (SAIME) they have already been instructed to annul official documents de López, currently exiled in Spain.
According to the Government, the measure is also supported by the Organic Law Liberator Simón Bolívarapproved last year, which contemplates criminal and political sanctions for those who participate in or encourage sanctions imposed by foreign powers.
The United States reinforces its military presence in the Caribbean
The Venezuelan internal political conflict occurs in a regional context of maximum tension. In the last month, The United States carried out ten attacks against vessels close to the coasts of Venezuela and Colombiawith a balance of at least 43 deadaccording to data released by Caracas. Washington justified the bombings by claiming that they were anti-drug operationsalthough it did not present evidence of the alleged illegal charges.
In parallel, the president donald trump ordered the deployment of nuclear aircraft carrier USS Gerald Fordthe most modern of the US fleet, in the waters of the Caribbean Seawhich further raised diplomatic and military tensions with Caracas and Bogotá.
“They are inventing a new war“Maduro denounced when referring to the US naval maneuver, and warned that Venezuela”has the necessary resources to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty against any aggression”.
Source: Ambito
