Guaido says he's trying to freeze Venezuelan accounts in Switzerland

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, attends a protest of the public transport sector against the government of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

(Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he spoke to the president of Switzerland on Wednesday to try to freeze banks accounts belonging to the tumultuous South American nation after "irregular movements" were discovered.

Guaido invoked a constitutional provision to claim the presidency three weeks ago, arguing that Nicolas Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. Since then, Guaido has been trying to control Venezuelan assets overseas.