Venezuela's comptroller general announces audit on Guaido's assets

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Venezuela's Comptroller General Elvis Amoroso on Monday announced an asset audit on the accounts of opposition leader and self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaido.

Amoroso alleged Guaido has "received money from international entities without any type of justification."

The chief national auditor also accused the member of the legislature of hiding or falsifying "data contained in his sworn asset statement."

The comptroller general said that according to the country's constitution, members of the National Assembly cannot "receive any type of payment from other public or private job," and they "cannot be owners, administrators or directors of companies that contract with legal entities."

The investigation against Guaido is partly based on anti-corruption law, Amoroso added.

Venezuela is currently in a difficult economic and political situation. Guaido declared himself "interim president" on Jan. 23 and was recognized by the United States and some other countries, 10 days after Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated as president.

Maduro was reelected in 2018. His first term of presidency began in April 2013.

UN chief willing to broker end to Venezuela crisis

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer to help broker an end to the crisis in Venezuela during talks with the country's foreign minister.

Guterres met with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in New York, at the request of Caracas, as the standoff between President Maduro and Guaido hardened.

The UN has called for serious political negotiations between the two sides to prevent a slide toward more violence in the South American country.

"The secretary-general reaffirmed that his offer of good offices to both parties remains available for serious negotiation to help the country out of the present standoff for the benefit of the people of Venezuela," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

(Cover: Venezuela's National Assembly head and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido gestures while speaking to students at the Metropolitan University in Caracas, Venezuela, February 11, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency