President Donald Trump Recognizes Interim President Of Venezuela

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Juan Guaidó, leader of the opposition in Venezuela, declared himself Wednesday as the new president "in charge" of the country amid thousands of followers and in open affront to the regime of current President Nicolás Maduro.

In my capacity as President of the National Assembly, invoking the articles of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela … before Almighty God … I swear! formally assume the powers of the National Executive as the president in charge of Venezuela”, exclaimed Guaidó with his right hand raised and surrounded by thousands of followers in the vicinity of Plaza Juan Pablo II in Caracas.

The young deputy managed to unite the divided opposition of his country to call the protests on Wednesday and organize new elections if Maduro retires from office.

At the White House, President Donald Tump issued a statement acknowledging Guaidó's presidency and threatening Maduro with retaliation if he intervenes with his rise to power.

"Today I officially recognize the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, as interim president of Venezuela," said Trump in a statement issued by his press office. "The Venezuelan people have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime, demanding freedom and the exercise of the power of the laws."

The document urged other governments to recognize Guaidó and closes with the following warning: "We will continue to hold the Maduro regime directly responsible for any threat it represents to the Venezuelan people."

In response, Maduro reacted by announcing the rupture of diplomatic relations with the United States and granting his consular personnel a period of 72 hours to leave Venezuelan soil.

The president had already threatened this rupture after the publication of a message from Vice President Mike Pence supporting Guaidó. Maduro had published a tweet on Tuesday saying: “The interventionist statements of the US Vice President are unacceptable. We are making a total revision of diplomatic relations with the United States and in the next few hours, we will make forceful decisions to defend the sovereignty and dignity of our people.”

Faced with the escalation in the diplomatic crisis, Guadió issued a statement on networks asking other nations to maintain their diplomatic representations in the country. Responsibly I tell you that we are a sovereign nation and we will continue to maintain diplomatic relations with all the countries of the world. We remain firm in retaking the Constitutional Order”.

Peú, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Argentina and Chile have so far recognized the president in charge.