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As Trump Recognises Venezuelan Opposition Leader as ‘Interim President’, Maduro Severs Diplomatic Ties With The US
Donald Trump is in for tough times. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (23 January) declared Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro illegitimate and officially recognised Juan Gaido as the country’s interim President.
In a statement released by White House, Trump Said:
Trump’s announcement came after Gaido swore himself in as the country’s President on Wednesday (23 January) after the National Assembly invoked the Venezuelan Constitution to declare Maduro’s recent reelection as illegitimate and the post of Presidency vacant.
Gaido claims that Maduro isn’t the rightful president of the South American nation, and that the presidential election in May 2018 was massively rigged to ensure Maduro wins a second six-year term. Gaido’s position has the support of US.
A large number of Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas on Wednesday (23 January) to express solidarity with Gaido and protest against Maduro’s consolidation of power and assault on democracy.
Gaido and opposition leaders are hoping that mass defection of military leaders in wake of the major protests will precipitate the crisis and result in fresh elections.
In a retaliatory move, Maduro announced that Venezuela is officially breaking off its diplomatic ties between the US and his country. American diplomats have been served a 72-hour ultimatum to leave Venezuela.
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