CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Congress yesterday requested a criminal investigation of opposition deputy Maria Corina Machado for crimes including treason in relation to her involvement in anti-government protests that have left dozens dead.
Machado, a 46-year-old engineer, has been one of the most visible leaders in six weeks of opposition demonstrations against socialist President Nicolas Maduro that have unleashed the country’s worst unrest in a decade.
Ruling Socialist Party legislators, who hold a majority of the seats, voted to ask the state prosecutor to investigate Machado for offenses that range from damaging buildings to inciting civil war.
“We will not permit impunity. We will ensure revenge for those deaths. We will ensure these deaths will be paid for,” said legislator Tania Diaz of the ruling Socialist Party. “Anyone who violates the right to life is violating the constitution.”
