Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to revoke the citizenship of opposition leader Leopoldo López, who is 54 years old. The move is based on the provisions of the controversial Simón Bolívar Law, which has been used in the past to strip Venezuelans of their nationality under various circumstances.
The legal action comes amid ongoing political tensions within Venezuela, where López is a prominent critic of Maduro’s government. The government argues that López’s citizenship status should be re-evaluated, citing the law’s stipulations. López, a former presidential candidate and leading figure in the opposition, has been a vocal critic of Maduro’s administration for years.
The appeal has increased scrutiny of the legal measures used to disqualify political opponents in Venezuela. Critics of the government view such actions as part of a broader effort to diminish opposition influence ahead of upcoming elections. Lopez’s supporters have expressed concern that the move undermines political pluralism and due process.
The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling on the appeal. This development signals ongoing legal and political battles within Venezuela, highlighting the tense and polarized nature of its current political landscape.