Venezuela in turmoil

The United States and major South American nations recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim leader while the UN urged dialogue in Caracas to avoid “disaster”, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated. Major regional players Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Argentina all gave their backing to Guaido’s self-proclamation as acting president, which he made in front of crowd of tens of thousands of supporters in the capital Caracas. The European Union called for free elections to restore democracy. Russia however lashed out at Western countries and Cuba and Turkey expressed “solidarity” with Maduro while Mexico extended lukewarm support to him.

In Moscow, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised the international community saying events in Venezuela “show clearly the attitude of the progressive international community towards international law, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of a country where it seeks a change in power.” But the avalanche of support for Guaido dramatically raised the stakes in Venezuela, an oilrich nation that has become deeply impoverished under Maduro.

Maduro has clung to power through the support of the Venezuelan military, and is a socialist ally of Russia, which last month sent two nuclear-capable bombers to the country to participate in a military drill. Just minutes after Guaido’s declaration, US President Donald Trump recognised him as interim leader, and declared his National Assembly was “the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people”.

“The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law,” Trump said. The US said it stood ready to use “all options” if Maduro tries to quash the opposition, in an implied threat of military force. Maduro responded saying he was cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington, as his riot police clashed with opposition supporters in Caracas. “Get Out! Leave Venezuela. Here we have dignity, damn it,” Maduro said, giving US diplomats 72 hours to depart. Maduro also announced the closure of Venezuela’s embassy and consulates in the United States.

But Guaido tweeted in response that, under him, Venezuela wants countries “to maintain their diplomatic presence in our country”. And the US State Department said “former president Maduro” did not have the authority to sever relations. Spain said fresh elections were the “only way out” for Venezuela after opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed the presidency amid anti-government protests.

UN chief Antonio Guterres appealed for dialogue. Eleven members of the 14-nation Lima Group -- Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru -- later issued a joint statement endorsing Guaido as interim president.