VENEZUELA’S Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) barred opposition leader Juan Guaido, who had proclaimed himself interim president, from leaving the country and froze his financial assets Tuesday.

The TSJ’s order came hours after Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced he requested the high court apply precautionary measures against Guaido.

“We are requesting the TSJ apply the following precautionary measures prohibiting departure from the country, of selling and mortgaging real and personal property and freezing bank accounts,” the attorney general said.

Saab explained that the request to the TSJ is in line with a preliminary investigation opened against Guaido “in response to violent events that were incited in the country beginning on Jan 22.”

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton warned of “serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido,” in a tweet that described Saab as the “illegitimate former Venezuelan Attorney General.”

The United States and several other countries have recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.

Nicolas Maduro, sworn in on Jan. 10 for a second term after elections last year, accuses Guaido of staging a U.S.-directed coup against him.

The U.S. State Department said Tuesday it had certified Guaido’s authority to control certain assets held by U.S.-insured banks, including government and central bank accounts.

Maduro, who previously rejected calls for negotiations, yesterday said in an interview with Russian state-owned RIA Novosti news agency that he was open to talks with the opposition.

“I’m willing to sit down for talks with the opposition so that we could talk for the sake of Venezuela’s peace and its future,” he said.

Maduro said the talks could be held with mediation of other countries. He mentioned Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, the Vatican and Russia.

Maduro said he would welcome an early parliamentary election as a “very good form of political discussion, a solution via people’s vote.”

But he opposes holding a snap presidential election as he was elected less than a year ago with some 68 percent of the vote and the poll was held in line with all constitutional and legal parameters. “If the imperialists want new elections, let them wait until 2025,” Maduro said.

Maduro also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of ordering a hit on him from Colombia. He said he was aware of Trump’s “orders” for the Colombian Government and the local mafia to kill him.

On Tuesday, Guaido urged Venezuelans to step outside their homes and workplaces for two hours yesterday in the first mass mobilization since last week’s big protests.  (Xinhua)