Venezuela lawmakers in embassy refuge
CARACAS 10 May (ANA) - Three Venezuelan opposition members of parliament have taken shelter in foreign embassies after losing their congressional immunity.
They are among 10 lawmakers stripped of immunity after the Supreme Court said they should be investigated for conspiracy, rebellion and treason.
The opposition led by Juan Guaidó tried to spark a military rebellion against President Nicolás Maduro last week.
His deputy remains in prison after being detained on Wednesday.
Edgar Zambrano live tweeted his arrest by intelligence agents, saying the authorities surrounded his car and then towed it away with a crane when he refused to get out.
Mr Guaidó, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January.
While more than 50 nations, including the US and most in Latin America, have recognised him, President Maduro retains the support of the military's top ranks and his allies abroad, such as Russia and China.
Mr Guaidó has called for fresh street protests against Mr Maduro on Saturday.
Américo de Grazia and Mariela Magallanes are both in the Italian embassy, while their colleague Richard Blanco has gone to the Argentine embassy.
Italy's foreign ministry confirmed on Wednesday that Ms Magellanes, who is married to an Italian and has applied for citizenship, had come to their embassy and would "be extended all possible protection and hospitality".
On Friday, Italian authorities also confirmed Mr Grazia was in their Caracas mission. The MP thanked Italy in a tweet, although he did not confirm he was inside.
Mr Blanco meanwhile told newspaper El Nacional he went to Argentina's embassy after Mr Zambrano's arrest, accusing Mr Maduro of conducting "a wave of persecution".(ANA)
10 May 2019------