Venezuela's justice department calls for Interpol arrest of Maduro and 18 years for corruption

Miraflores Presidential Palace via AP

In this photo provided by the Miraflores Presidential Palace, President Nicolas Maduro stands at attention during a event marking the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, August 4, 2019. Venezuela's government says several explosions heard at a military event were an attempted attack on President Maduro. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said in a live broadcast that several drone-like devices with explosives detonated near the president. He said Maduro is safe and unharmed but that seven people were injured.

Venezuela's justice department requested an international arrest warrant for its own president, Nicolás Maduro.

The department called for Maduro's arrest on suspicion of corruption in a letter to Jurgen Stock, the secretary-general of Interpol, dated on Monday.

It said that Maduro accepted, directly or indirectly, funds from illegal activity, and called for 18 years and three months in jail.

"As a result of the aforementioned, this Plenary Chamber considered it appropriate to request that Interpol issue a red alert/notice for Nicolás Maduro Moros for the purposes of international cooperation on common crimes for the apprehension of the above-mentioned subject," said the letter, which was addressed from Coral Gables, Florida.

Maduro is presiding over one of the worst economic crises in Venezuela. The country has been struggling through hyperinflation, power cuts, and food shortages.

Recent polls of Venezuelans show that many struggle to afford food, and the country often sees mass protests because of the economic hardship.

Maduro's whereabouts are not clear. Business Insider has contacted Interpol for comment.

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