Venezuela's Guaido stripped of immunity

Caracas: Venezuelan politicians loyal to President Nicolas Maduro have stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido of his immunity from prosecution.

The move by the government-backed National Constituent Assembly on Tuesday paves the way for Guaido's prosecution and possibly his arrest.

It is unclear whether Maduro will actively threaten Guaido, who has embarked on an international campaign to topple the president's socialist administration.

Up until now, Maduro has avoided throwing the 35-year-old politician in jail.

In January, Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president and vowed to overthrow Maduro. The US and roughly 50 other nations have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

On Monday, 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 had 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 and citizens to protest.

Maduro blames Washington for trying to install a puppet government to seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

AP