Opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido in left; Current Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro in Right.
Venezuela’s political turmoil may not come to an end soon, as the world stands divided. With Maduro’s continuous refusal of holding fresh election and the international community extending support to the self-proclaimed interim President, Juan Guaido, the country is bracing for further political disorder
In the middle of strong global pressure, Nicolas Maduro continues to represent the current political crisis in the country as an attempt to cause a civil war. Speaking in a military rally, Maduro said, “I, Nicolas Maduro Moros, the legitimate and constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, swear that I will defend with my very own life this homeland of Venezuela.” Dismissing all calls for fresh election in the country, Maduro added, “I will carry on governing, together with the people, for the six years I have the right to govern for.”
Previously, the opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim President of the state, Juan Guaido made a call for more military abandonment of the Maduro government after the defection of country’s highest ranking military general. Protesting against the current administration, Gen. Francisco Yanez, a Venezuelan air force general, abandoned the Maduro government in January, 2019, terming Maduro’s recent election win fraudulent.
It all started with National Assembly leader, Juan Guaido declaring himself as the interim President of Venezuela amidst strong opposition protests in the country. After entering office in 2013, following the death of Hugo Chavez, the current President Nicolas Maduro has been facing several allegations of human rights abuse and mishandling of the country’s economy. He was sworn-in last month for a second term after disputed elections, boycotted by many opposition leaders.
With reports of regular food and medicine shortages in the country, the spike in inflation last year worked as fuel in the fire. Due to economic meltdowns and “severe threats to human life”, over 3 million Venezuelan citizens have already fled the country since 2014, as per reports released by United Nations.
Guaido stands strong with complete support from the United States with President Donald Trump publically recognizing the opposition leader as Venezuela’s interim President. In a statement recognizing Guaido, Trump remarked, “In its role as the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people, the National Assembly invoked the country’s constitution to declare Nicolas Maduro illegitimate, and the office of the presidency therefore vacant. The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law.” He further added, “will continue to use the full weight of United States economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy.”
Following in the US’s footsteps, more than 15 European Countries have also extended their official support for Guaido as the interim President. However, Maduro also managed to get allies in Russia and China; both countries accused the US and other EU nations for interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs.
