Nicolás Maduro’s government has suffered a new legal defeat this Friday (29), following a decision in favor of opposition leader Juan Guaido, distracting Venezuela from its goal of reclaiming gold reserves deposited in the Bank of England.
Judge Sara Cockerill of the commercial division of the Supreme Court in London ruled in favor of Guaidó, recognized by the United Kingdom as interim president of Venezuela. The second period of Olgun.
The Maduro government and the opposition led by Guaidó have faced off in a judicial saga since 2019 over access to 31 tonnes of gold worth nearly $1.9 billion, which has been hidden in the vaults of the Bank of England for years.
This part of the process focused on whether the British justice system saw legitimate the board of directors of the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV), appointed by Guaidó after he declared himself interim president of Venezuela.
The board appointed by the opposition has asked the Bank of England not to hand over the gold to the officially appointed board.
In the context of a long-running litigation in London, the British Supreme Court ordered in December to analyze whether this Venezuelan court decision actually nullified these appointments.
Caracas officials claimed that they urgently needed funds to deal with the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The judge considered that the decision of the High Court of Justice of Caracas (TSJ) to nullify the appointments to the head of the central bank would not be recognized under British law.
One of the arguments cited is that there is “clear evidence” that TSJ is collaborating with judges supporting Maduro.
Sarosh Zaiwalla of Maduro’s legal representative, Zaiwalla and Co, called the decision “unfortunate” and said the Venezuelan broadcaster wanted to appeal.
Further, the lawyer expressed “concern” about the cumulative effect of “a simple statement by the British government recognizing as head of state a person who does not control any part of the State” on the rulings of English courts, giving him the authority to dispose of property.
This Friday, there was no immediate reaction from Guaidó’s representatives.
source: Noticias
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