Venezuela Strips 5 Opposition Lawmakers of Immunity - Reports

The government Constituent Assembly of Venezuela stripped five members of the opposition-controlled National Assembly of immunity in order to try them for betrayal, conspiracy and rebellion, local media reported.

Juan Andres Mejia, Sergio Vergara, Freddy Superlano, Carlos Paparoni and Miguel Pizarro were stripped of immunity, according to the VTV broadcaster.

A week ago, the National Constituent Assembly stripped seven other opposition lawmakers to try them for suspected participation in the recent attempted coup.

Venezuela has been plunged into severe unrest since January, after US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself interim president of the country. His bid was immediately recognized by the US, followed by many Latin American countries as well as many EU states. Russia and China and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the only legitimate leader to the country.

Tensions in Venezuela reached a new peak in late April after the Venezuelan opposition initiated a fresh coup attempt to oust Maduro, which failed.