Donald Trump has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.
The standoff between Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition-dominated National Assembly escalated after a failed mutiny by a National Guard unit.
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What about the constitution?
Article 233 says the National Council can "duly" overthrow the president
But Article 335 says the Supreme Court has the final say on the consitutional rulings
Whose side is the Supreme Court on?
Maduro's. After Guaidó swore himself they shot it down.
Who's side is the Army on?
Maduro's
Who's this Guaidó guy?
- Juan Guaidó was a low-profile politician in Venezuela until his surprise election as leader of the opposition-held National Assembly three weeks ago (the National Assembly is their Congress).
- Guaidó did post-grad studies at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
- Upon returning to Venezuela he began anti-government political activism.
- I see Guaidó as a replacement for Leopoldo López, who was being groomed to take down the Chavista revolution
- López is an economist from an upper class family in Venezuela & was educated in the US
- López co-founded a political party in 2009 and has been a central figure in anti-government activism
- In September 2015, López was found guilty of public incitement to violence & sentenced to 14 years. He was later transferred to house arrest on 8 July 2017 after being imprisoned for over three years.
What's happened so far?
The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime. Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela. https://t.co/WItWPiG9jK
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2019
As world looks on, Venezuela's Guaido to keep up pressure on Maduro https://t.co/Dzgv8i2QP7 pic.twitter.com/kzzkaHQD29
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 24, 2019
WATCH: Protesters clash with police in Caracas as Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president of Venezuela pic.twitter.com/MjlfU20Rdc
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) January 24, 2019
Supporting Juan Guaido as interim president src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Venezuela
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) January 24, 2019
So far AOC is the only active US politician who's resisted this regime-change, she retweeted this
With respect Senator Durbin, the US should not anoint the leader of the opposition in Venezuela during an internal, polarized conflict. Let us support Uruguay, Mexico, & the Vatican's efforts for a negotiated settlement & end sanctions that are making the hyperinflation worse. https://t.co/qoAb2ou95g
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 24, 2019
UPDATE: Anti-interventionist candidate Tulsi Gabbard has weighed in
The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela. Let the Venezuelan people determine their future. We don't want other countries to choose our leaders--so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 24, 2019
Watch this space
Standoff Threatened at Hilltop U.S. Embassy Complex in Venezuela https://t.co/NYL1I2B5DD
— Miguel Ortiz Simoza (@MortizUSA) January 24, 2019
Comments
(Long Spike)
Wrong title?
(Old Spike)
Negative
(Short Spike)
well, you might wanna take it back a notch or two, commonfolk are just not up to your level of sassy political cleverness and are missing on the joke
(Old Spike)
it is what it is.
a lot of people think this is about socialism, the situation's fubar.
(Long Spike)
Oh, I see what you did there. hah
There's going to be some big power moves in South America soon. Facebook unverified Maduro, Russia just got mining rights to Venezuela, Cuba and other countries are choosing sides.
(Old Spike)
Yeah, it's another one of those moments where you get to see where loyalties lie.
The US diplomats are in a wierd position, that could be a flash point.
(Short Spike)
i thought you got it wrong at first too, but i see what ya did, kinda agree, but its not a fair comparison to put any blood on trumps hands here. and i hate the fucking guy.