Guido calls for demonstrations against Maduro

Venezuelan parliament speaker Juan Guido, who declared himself "interim president" of the country, called for new demonstrations on February 12.

3 February, 2019 12:40

NEWS DESK

Venezuelan Parliament Speaker Juan Guido called on the opposition to hold massive demonstrations against President Maduro on February 12, when Venezuelans celebrate "Youth Day".

Guido stressed that anti-Maduro demonstrations will continue until the opposition achieves its objectives.

Venezuela has been under tension since Jan 23 after opposition leader Juan Guido declared himself the "interim president" of the country and the announcement by Nicolas Maduro of severing diplomatic relations with Washington, accusing it of orchestrating a coup attempt against him.

US President Donald Trump hastened to recognize the leader of the opposition as a "transitional president", followed by Canada, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Britain.

In a major development on the crisis in Venezuela, Sky News reported that Venezuela's ambassador to Iraq, Jonathan Velasco Ramirez, announced his defection from the government of President Nicolas Maduro and his loyalty to the opposition leader Juan Guido, who declared himself as interim president of the country.

France has just announced that it will recognize Guido as president of Venezuela today if Maduro does not announce the election.

A.H

ANHA