(Caracas) Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who had proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela in an attempt to oust President Nicolas Maduro, was confirmed in this post for a year on the night of Monday to Tuesday by the National Assembly without power elected in 2015.
Then president of the Parliament, Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president in 2019 while the international community did not recognize the re-election in 2018 of Mr. Maduro after a boycotted ballot and described as “fraudulent” by the opposition.
Controlled by the opposition, this National Assembly, elected in 2015 and whose terms officially ended in January 2021, was stripped of its power in 2017 with the election of a Constituent Assembly favorable to Maduro power. The opposition also boycotted the legislative elections of 2020 which therefore saw the power regain control of the Assembly.
The opposition deputies approved “the continuity for 12 months from January 4” of their mandate and of the “government”, also deciding that the “President of the National Assembly will serve as responsible for the presidency. […] in order to defend democracy and lead the protection of state assets abroad ”.
Thanks in particular to the international community, the interim government controls the vast Venezuelan assets and goods abroad, but Mr. Guaidó has no power in his country.
After much criticism of the management, opponents have somewhat reformed the powers of the “interim government” by cutting positions and promising better control of funds.
“Our commitment to defend the Venezuelans is ratified”, welcomed Juan Guaidó on Twitter.