Venezuela is news throughout the world. The loss of power of Nicolás Maduro, the appearance of Juan Guaidó as leader of the opposition and the international reaction place him at the center of attention.
These are the most recent news about what happens in this South American country.
1. Juan Guaidó leads strong opposition: The president of the Venezuelan Parliament, Juan Guaidó, proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela onWednesday during a massive demonstration organized against President Nicolás Maduro.
I swear to formally assume the powers of the National Executive as the president in charge of Venezuela to achieve the end of usurpation, a transitional government, and have free elections,”
said Guaidó on Wednesday.
The AFP news agency reported that journalists asked Guaidó if he was afraid of being arrested, like hundreds of political prisoners who have opposed the Maduro regime.
No, I’m afraid for my people that’s going through a terrible time,”
replied Guaidó.
2. Violence continues: While the opposition breathes hope, it also suffers the violence exercised by the Maduro regime. At least 16 people died during the last hours while participating in the protests and demonstrations organized against the dictator.
The deaths, mostly by firearms, occurred in Caracas and the states of Táchira, Barinas, Amazonas, Bolívar and Portuguesa, according to the AFP report to the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict (OVCS), a detractor of Nicolás Maduro.
3. Maduro denounces “coup d’état”: What Nicolás Maduro initially called a “little boys game” today is a “coup d’état”. This Thursday morning, the Venezuelan Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, claimed that Guaidó’s self-proclamation as interim president is a coup d’ état in progress.
I warn the people of Venezuela that a coup d’ état is taking place against the institutions, against democracy, against our Constitution, against President Nicolás Maduro, legitimate president,”
said Padrino.
4. Who supports Maduro? Who supports Guaidó?
The international community reacted immediately. Countries and important forums took one side or the other after the parliamentary leader appeared as a second option.
In Costa Rica, for example, President Carlos Alvarado recognized Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela. The legislators also approved a motion to recognize Guaidó and call for a democratic transition.
Most countries in Latin America have the same position. In addition, Guaidó has the express support of the United States Government. On the contrary, Bolivia, Cuba, Guyana and Santa Lucia are on Maduro’s side.
Mexico and Uruguay spoke in order to avoid an escalation in the violence, but they did not take a firm stand on the crisis.
The United Kingdom expressed its support for Guaidó.
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, recognized Guaidó as president, followed by the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno.
On the other hand, Russia criticized on Thursday the “interference in internal affairs of Venezuela,” when referring to some international reactions to events in this country, which can open the way to chaos and a “bloodbath,” according to the AFP agency.