Venezuela arrests opposition lawmaker and critical general

Venezuelan officials have jailed a second opposition figure as tensions mounted in the economically struggling South American country.
Officials re-arrested former Gen Raul Baduel yesterday, saying he had been conspiring to overthrow the government.
Baduel was once a high-ranking member of the administration of late President Hugo Chavez, but later became critical of the socialist party. Baduel was freed from prison in 2015 after serving six years on corruption charges.
On Wednesday, officials arrested substitute lawmaker Gilber Caro from a hardline opposition party on weapons charges.
The arrests come as a fledgling "anti-coup" unit inside the government targets what it calls renewed opposition attempts to destabilise the country.

Human rights groups said the arrests go against the government's recent freeing of several jailed activists as part of Vatican-sponsored mediation effort. The opposition is asking the government to free dozens of prisoners widely considered political prisoners as part of the dialogue process.

The government said Baduel had violated the terms of his parole. Baduel and members of the opposition have always maintained that initial arrest for corruption was a ploy to punish him for speaking out against the government. His son Adolfo Baduel said on Twitter yesterday that his father had not violated any conditions of his parole.
Caro was arrested at a highway toll station after police said they found a gun and explosives in his car. His Popular Will party said the weapons were planted to frame him.

Yesterday, the opposition coalition rejected a ruling by the Supreme Court overturning congress' declaration that President Nicolas Maduro had abandoned his post. The opposition-controlled congress approved the symbolic resolution at the start of the week, saying Maduro is neglecting his duties as the country spirals into a deep depression.
Some in the opposition are pushing for a new round of street protests while others in the factious coalition are advocating attending a round of talks with the government scheduled for today. Opposition leaders have said they won't participate in the meeting unless the government releases more than 100 political prisoners.