The Constituent Assembly of Venezuela lifted the parliamentary immunity of Juan Guaidó and ordered the opening of a criminal trial against him

The ruling Constituent Assembly deprived the parliamentary leader of his immunity on Tuesday Juan Guaidó, recognized as interim president of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, and authorized the highest court to prosecute him for misappropriation of his office.

The Constituent Assembly unanimously approved "authorizing the continuation of criminal prosecution of the deputy" Guaidó by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), announced Diosdado Cabello, president of the body that reigns at Venezuela with absolute power.

The TSJ opened on January 29 in investigation against Guaidó for allegedly usurping the duties of President Nicolás Maduro, who also accused him of planning an attack against him.

"Sometimes the law takes time, but in this case, it will come," warned Cabello, number two of Chavismo, closing the debate at the Federal Legislative Building.

Guaidó is proclaimed acting president on January 23, after a majority of the opposition declared Maduro "usurper" for having started a second term on the 10th of this month, which, in his opinion, resulted from "fraudulent" elections.

"We act on the basis of the Constitution"said Cabello.

The Magna Carta establishes that the Supreme Court is the "only authority empowered to order, with the authorization of the National Assembly," the detention and prosecution of parliamentarians.

But the highest court, accused of serving Maduro, has declared Parliament contempt of court in 2016 and considers all its decisions as null and void.

In addition, The Constituent Assembly, elected in August 2017 and unknown to the opposition, governs as a plenipotentiary body to which all other state institutions must be subordinated. And in practice, he has badumed the legislative functions.

A few minutes after this announcement of the Constituent Assembly, Guaidó announced on Twitter that tonight would send a message "to all Venezuelans of the nation and the international community".