US State Department Says Maduro To Face 'Consequences' For Arresting Opposition Figures

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government will face consequences if it continues arresting members of the opposition including staff of self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, a US State Department spokesperson told Sputnik.

"The United States condemns raids by Maduro's security services and detention of Roberto Marrero, Chief of Staff to Interim President Juan Guaido, and Luis Aguilar. We call for their immediate release and will hold accountable those involved... There will be consequences for a continued crackdown," the spokesperson said on Thursday.

The State Department, the spokesperson added, believes Judge Carol Padilla, prosecutors Farid Mora Salcedo and Dinora Bustamante, and Sebin officials Danny Contreras and Angel Flores facilitated the arrest.

"We will be working closely with the Lima Group and other international partners on next steps," the State Department official said.

In January, Guaido illegally declared himself interim president of Venezuela after disputing Maduro's reelection victory in May. Washington immediately endorsed Guaido, called on Maduro to step down, and seized billions of Dollars' worth of Venezuela's oil assets.

Maduro has accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as a puppet leader beholden to Washington. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.