By Serife Cetin
BRUSSELS (AA) – The EU said Thursday it does not recognize a decision by the Venezuelan Constituent Assembly to lift parliamentary immunity of opposition leader Juan Guaido.
“The EU rejects the decision taken by the non-recognized National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaido’s parliamentary immunity,” foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.
“These acts undermine a political way out of the crisis and only lead to further polarization and escalation of tensions in the country,” she added.
She said the union was closely monitoring the situation and was ready to take necessary steps.
The Constituent Assembly, comprising loyalists of President Nicolas Maduro, on Tuesday voted to strip Guaido's immunity paving for his prosecution and possible arrest.
Guaido was charged with violating a travel ban imposed on him for visiting Colombia to bring U.S. aid into Venezuela.
Venezuela has been rocked by protests since January, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Tensions flared when Guaido declared himself acting president — a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.
Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have thrown their weight behind Maduro.
*Writing by Dilara Hamit
