- The highest representative of the Public Ministry said that what is underway is an investigation for “acts of violence” during the protests
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab said on Sunday, August 4, that there are no arrest warrants against Edmundo González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado.
“I want to know the orders, to see them, because there are none. What there is is a general investigation for the arrest of people who burned down public buildings with people inside, that is very serious,” said Saab in an interview with the Colombian radio station Caracol Radio.
However, the Attorney General stressed that any leader who joins in making calls to commit acts of violence or terrorism will be arrested by the Venezuelan authorities.
When questioned about the whereabouts of the political leader Freddy Superlano After his arrest, Saab said he was “in excellent health.”
“He has already been presented and the corresponding charges have been brought against him for being related to the acts of violence in the country. There are many elements of conviction in the telephone extractions that I cannot reveal at this time,” the prosecutor said.
Repression against protesters
Saab also rejected reports that security forces in Venezuela have increased repression or used excessive force against protesters.
“There are no members of the security services involved, there are no names, there are none. There were in the past. I have put several people in prison who committed excesses during demonstrations. Now, if there are indications that they have committed a crime, they will be prosecuted,” the prosecutor stressed in an interview with the Colombian media.
He added that the 20 deaths reported by Human Rights Watch during the protests were caused by “violence imposed” by the protesters.
Criminal Forum’s record of deaths and arrests
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal reported on Sunday, August 4, that 988 arrests have been documented, of which 91 are adolescents; and 11 deaths in the context of post-election protests since July 29.
Alfredo Romero, vice president director of Foro Penal, published the update of the figures on his X account. The image of the report indicates that where there were more arrests was in the Capital District, Anzoátegui and Carabobo.
“There are 20 deaths caused by the violence of protesters who tried to burn down the mayor’s office in Puerto La Cruz, in Anzoátegui, with 10 people inside. When they tried to burn down the headquarters of the ruling party in El Tigre, with 20 people inside. That was done by violent opposition protesters. I ask you, is that what Human Rights is reporting?” questioned the highest representative of the Public Ministry.
He also said that many of the images circulating on social media are simulated acts of violence intended to alarm the population and the international community.
US-orchestrated plan
The prosecutor also said that these violent acts are part of a plan orchestrated from abroad to destabilize the country, in which Colombian drug trafficking gangs and the United States government are allegedly involved.
Regarding the evidence of these accusations, Saab responded that it has been proven that they are the first enemies of the government of Nicolás Maduro.
“That is common knowledge, the US is the main enemy that has attacked us, sanctioned us, the proof is the support for the coup d’état of April 11, they have seized our money, they self-proclaimed Juan Guaidó,” said Saab.
Asylum offered by Costa Rica in the face of possible arrest warrants
On July 30, the Costa Rican government offered political asylum to González and Machado, after learning that there were arrest warrants against them.
“We have been informed that there are arrest warrants against María Corina Machado and Edmundo González in Venezuela. Through me, the government of the Republic announces that we are willing to grant political asylum, refuge, in Costa Rica to both María Corina Machado and Edmundo González,” said Foreign Minister Arnoldo André in a video released by the media.
The foreign minister extended the offer to “any other politically persecuted in Venezuela, especially those people who are seeking refuge in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas.”
These statements came after Nicolás Maduro blamed both of them for the deaths recorded in the protests against the results of the electoral body.
Maduro also blamed them for the violence unleashed, largely carried out by the police and military forces who have repressed peaceful protesters with pellets and tear gas, as confirmed by the EFE news agency in Caracas.
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2024-08-05 02:49:51
