UPDATE: The Trump administration announced Wednesday afternoon it is recognizing Juan Guaidó, the president of Venezuela’s opposition led National Assembly, as the country’s interim president. The leaders of Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay have also recognized Guaidó’s interim leadership. Guaidó declared himself the country’s leader in a defiant speech before a massive gathering of his supporters on Wednesday. Guaidó, 35, said Venezuela’s constitution gave him the right to assume the presidency until new elections can take place.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement, “The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law.”
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The once-prosperous South American nation of Venezuela has been spiraling into chaos, violence, and extreme poverty for years. Finally, Venezuelans may be forming a protest with potential to bring change in their country devastated by socialism and corruption.
Venezuelan citizens were encouraged by a message of support from U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. In a Tuesday video, Pence said Venezuelans had the “unwavering support” of the United States in their effort to restore democracy. Pence called current Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a “dictator with no legitimate claim to power.” He gave his verbal support to those who want to end Maduro’s socialist government.
On Wednesday, nationwide protests were being organized. Shops in the capital city of Caracas remained shuttered. Riot police stood guard at the central Plaza Venezuela on Wednesday morning.
The demonstrations follow an attempted military uprising on Monday. The government managed to curtail that event. But protestors seized the opportunity to voice opposition. Unrest spread across the city. The Venezuelan Observatory for Social Conflict reported that at least one person died.
Juan Guaidó is leader of the National Assembly. The U.S. State Department recognizes the National Assembly as the “only legitimate and last remaining democratically elected institution that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people.”
The 35-year-old Guaidó has said he was willing to replace Maduro as interim president. He has considerable support both in and outside Venezuela. He said in a tweet, “Brothers and sisters, know that the weapon used by the usurper is violence. Ours on the other hand is the voice of millions of Venezuelans who will meet today on the streets, in peace for Venezuela.”
Pence says the United States also supports Guaidó.
In a Tuesday night response, Maduro called protestors “terrorists.” He also accused Pence of inciting violence among Venezuelans.
(A member of the opposition party in Venezuela uses a sign with the prices of basic food in his protest against current President Nicolas Maduro. AP Photo)
