VENEZUELAN opposition leader Juan Guaido’s top security guards have been arrested for trying to sell stolen government weapons, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez announced today.

Erick Sanchez and Jason Parisi were captured while attempting to sell weapons stolen from the National Guard in the run-up to Mr Guaido’s failed coup attempt on April 30 for $35,000 (nearly £28,000).

Mr Rodriguez said there was “overwhelming” evidence against Mr Sanchez and Mr Parisi, including them being seen carrying weapons similar to the ones stolen from the Venezuelan military.

Investigators confiscated five AK-103 rifles with the serial numbers matching those of the weapons stolen from the National Guard Park in Caracas.

“This investigation continues its course and in the coming hours we will know more details,” said Mr Rodriguez.

“It can’t be that we are in a permanent dialogue towards peace and it turns out those in his closest circle are in possession of weapons that belong to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to protect the people, not to attack them.”

The two sides have been in talks, mediated by Norway, since late May in pursuit of an agreement that would restore stability to the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets nationwide yesterday to demonstrate against a report by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, who visited the country in June, and to support President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to re-establish peace.

Ms Bachelet heard personal testimonies from victims of opposition violence and saw 123 documented cases of people being lynched, beheaded and killed during protests that took place in 2013, 2014 and 2017 — none of which was included in her report. 

Students and workers marched through the capital Caracas with signs reading: “We are anti-imperialist” in protest at the Bachelet report, which they said was biased and manipulated.

“The Venezuelan people are mobilising to express their overwhelming rejection of lies and manipulation, for peace and truth. We are guarantors and promoters of human rights,” Mr Maduro tweeted.

In a separate statement, the president added: “You should know that Venezuela will remain standing and victorious. No false report of aggression can withstand our faith and determination to be a free and sovereign people … I demand a prompt rectification of such a report.”