EU warns against use of any measure to arrest Guaido

The European Union warned that any measure that risk self-proclaimed Venezuelan President Juan Guaido's freedom, safety or personal integrity would instigate firm condemnation from the international community.

High Representative of EU Federica Mogherini issued a statement saying, "The European Union underlines its conviction that the solution to the multidimensional crisis affecting Venezuela can only be a political, democratic and peaceful one. In this respect, any measure that could put at risk Juan Guaido's freedom, safety or personal integrity would represent a major escalation of tensions and meet the firm condemnation of the international community."

Sputnik quoted Mogherini stating that the members of the Venezuelan National Assembly "enjoy constitutionally granted immunity that needs to be fully respected," so that they could "exercise their parliamentary mandate free of intimidation on them or their family members".

The remarks by the EU chief comes amid reports that Guaido, who is currently on a three nation-tour of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, may face up to 30 years of imprisonment for breaching a foreign travel ban imposed by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

Guaido, who was elected as the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly on January 5, announced on Sunday that he would be soon returning to his country. The leader had crossed the border in order to secure aid for the people of his country that was blocked by the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the Colombian borders on February 22. Maduro said that the Venezuelans are in no need of aid being sent by the United States and its allies.

Guaido declared himself as the interim president of the nation on January 23, a move that was supported by the US and many European and Latin American countries.

Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China and Bolivia reiterated their support for Maduro, who vowed to cut all diplomatic and political ties with the US.

US President Donald Trump had many times hinted towards using military intervention as a possibility to resolve the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

According to reports by the International Monetary Fund, the South America nation is witnessing widespread shortages of food and medicine and has the highest inflation rate in the world.