Venezuela prosecutors seek to ban opposition leader from leaving country

Venezuela’s chief prosecutor is seeking to ban opposition leader Juan Guaido from leaving the country as part of a criminal probe into his anti-government activities.

Tarek William Saab made the request to the government-stacked Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro jogs alongside his defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers (Marcelo Garcia/AP)

Mr Saab did not specify what crimes Mr Guaido is being investigated for.

He only said it was tied to the unrest sparked by his decision to declare himself interim president last week in a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduro’s authority.

Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

Meanwhile, Mr Guaido has said US sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests politicians have made to “protect” the nation’s assets abroad.

Mr Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish that Venezuela’s opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the country’s assets are not “looted” by Mr Maduro.

He said the measure’s only purpose was to ensure that Mr Maduro’s government “doesn’t continue robbing the people of Venezuela”.

The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA on Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation.- Press Association

Venezuela's would-be leader backs US sanctions against oil company

The Venezuelan opposition leader who has declared himself the country's rightful president has said US sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests politicians have made to "protect" the nation's assets abroad.

Juan Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish on Monday evening that Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the country's assets are not "looted" by President Nicolas Maduro.

Mr Guaido is the leader of the National Assembly, which is the only branch of Venezuela's government recognised by the US and other nations.

Mr Guaido said the measure's only purpose is to ensure that Mr Maduro's government "doesn't continue robbing the people of Venezuela".

The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA on Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation.

PA