Bogota - US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he
formally recognises Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela's
opposition-dominated National Assembly, as the country's interim
president.
Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president during
anti-government rallies in Caracas.
"Today, on January 23, I swear to formally take over the competencies
of the National Executive as president of Venezuela to achieve the
end of the usurpation," Guaido told thousands of supporters in the
capital.
The crowd sang the national anthem and broke out in applause. Protest
rallies estimated to include hundreds of thousands of people
demonstrated against the country, calling on President Nicolas Maduro
to resign.
Making his own announcement shortly thereafter, Trump called on other
Western governments to recognise Guaido's announcement as he vowed to
keep up pressure on Caracas.
"Today, I am officially recognising the President of the Venezuelan
National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of
Venezuela," Trump said in a statement, referring to the legislative
body as the "only legitimate branch of government."