Guaido Challenges Maduro as Interim President

Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela, challenging the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro's presidency. Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, invoked articles of the constitution to assume the interim presidency, citing Maduro's controversial re-election. Several countries, including the United States, recognized Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, while others, such as Russia and China, continued to support Maduro. Maduro, who had been in power since 2013, refused to step down and denounced Guaido's declaration as a US-backed coup attempt. The power struggle between the two leaders escalated, leading to widespread protests in Venezuela. The country's political crisis deepened, with clashes between supporters of Guaido and Maduro's government. The United States imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, further intensifying the economic turmoil in the country. The international community remained divided, with some calling for dialogue and others supporting Guaido's call for new elections. The European Union set a deadline for Maduro to call for new elections, threatening to recognize Guaido if he failed to do so. Despite mounting pressure, Maduro retained the backing of the military, a crucial factor in the country's politics. The power struggle between Juan Guaido and Nicolas Maduro highlighted the deep political divisions in Venezuela and raised questions about the country's democratic institutions. The crisis also had a significant impact on the Venezuelan economy, which was already experiencing hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. The outcome of the power struggle remained uncertain, with both leaders vying for control amid mounting domestic and international pressure. #Venezuela #JuanGuaido #NicolasMaduro #PoliticalCrisis #InternationalSupport #EconomicTurmoil