Venezuelan court asks Interpol to detain opposition leader who fled to Peru

Court orders capture of anti-Chavez leader

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan prosecutors say a court has asked Interpol to detain a leading opponent of President Hugo Chavez who is seeking political asylum in Peru.

Prosecutors say in a statement that the Venezuelan court on Wednesday ordered the capture of Manuel Rosales because he “has shown he isn’t willing to present himself” in court.

Rosales recently stepped down as mayor of Maracaibo and left for Peru. He says a corruption charge against him in Venezuela has been trumped up.

Prosecutors say the Venezuelan court sent requests to Venezuelan police and Interpol requesting his capture.