Venezuela's chief justice has asked lawmakers to strip opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity, taking a step toward prosecuting him for alleged crimes as he seeks to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
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Supreme Court Justice Maikel Moreno said Guaido should be prosecuted for violating a ban on leaving the country when he went on a tour of Latin American nations that back a change in Venezuela's government.
The opposition leader, who has immunity from prosecution as head of the National Assembly, is also accused by Maduro's government of inciting violence linked to street protests and receiving illicit funds from abroad.
Guaido dismissed the Maduro-stacked high court as illegitimate and continued his calls for Maduro to step down, urging Venezuelans to take to the streets.
"We must unite now more than ever," said Guaido at a Caracas university.
"We must mount the biggest demonstration so far to reject what's happening."
Since a massive power failure struck March 7, the nation has experienced near-daily blackouts and a breakdown in critical services such as running water and public transportation. Classes have been suspended for nearly a week.
At the same time, frustrated residents are increasingly unable to find water, make phone calls or access the internet.
Maduro said late Sunday he was instituting a 30-day plan that would balance generation and transmission with consumption. He also called on Venezuelans to stay calm, but provided no further details.
Maduro also appeared on state TV to announce an engineer with 25 years of experience, Igor Gaviria, will serve as the next electricity minister, heading the state-run Corpoelec and replacing a military general, Luis Motta Dominguez.
On Sunday, a mass of protesters took to the streets only to be threatened by contingents of alleged government supporters known as "colectivos" who appeared on motorbikes. Videos posted on social media also showed armed men opening fire to drive residents inside.
Meanwhile, US officials in Washington said Monday they will do "everything possible" so that Guaido's representative can fill Venezuela's seat in the Organization of American States, a body that promotes economic, military and cultural cooperation among its members.
Australian Associated Press
