After the dissolution of the interim government of Venezuela, the US clarified that it still considers Nicolás Maduro illegitimate

The United States said Tuesday that it still did not consider Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela and recognized the authority of the 2015 National Assembly after the opposition dissolved an “interim government.”

“Our approach towards Nicolás Maduro is not changing. He is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela. We recognize the 2015 National Assembly,” State Department spokesman, Ned Price.

On December 30, the National Assembly of Venezuela approved in session the dissolution of the interim government of Juan Guaidothe opposition leader who came to have the recognition of more than fifty countries, including the United States, as president in charge of the Caribbean country.

Congregated in the Parliament elected in 2015, with an absolute majority and which defends its continuity by calling the triumph of Chavismo in the 2020 legislative elections fraudulent, The opposition leadership decided the end of this figure as of January 5, with 72 votes in favor, 29 against and eight abstentions.

Among harsh statements that show the existing fractures in the Venezuelan oppositionthe parties justice first (P.J.), Democratic Action (AD) and a new time (UNT) spearheaded the proposal to put an end to the “interim” after four years of failed offensive to remove the dictator from power Nicolas Maduro.

It was the second of two necessary votes, in which the proposal required a simple majority. The first took place on Thursday of last week. The project to end the “presidency in charge” then received the same 72 votes.

During the virtual parliamentary session this Friday, the opposition majority argued that “The interim did not meet its objectives”but stressed that Parliament must be maintained to “protect” assets abroad and continue “fighting” against the Chavista regime.

Member of the Popular Will party (VP), of the exiled leader Leopoldo Lopezz, Guaidó had asked the day before to maintain the figure of the “interim government” “above names”, raising the possibility of being replaced by another leader – that proposal was discarded on Friday. Likewise, in recent days he warned that eliminating the interim period would risk allowing Maduro to regain control of Venezuelan resources blocked abroad due to the sanctions imposed on the regime.

Brian Nichols, Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, had advanced in a recent interview to the chain NTN24 that the White House is going to follow the “indications” of the Venezuelan opposition after seeing what form the interim government is going to take.

The opposition leader had taken office as interim president on January 23, 2019 after the 2018 presidential elections in which Maduro claimed victory amid allegations of fraud, persecution and irregularities.

The broad international support he achieved during his tenure has been diluted. Washington, although it maintains its formal recognition of the “interim government”, has sent delegates to meet with Maduro in the midst of the oil crisis unleashed by the sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine, while governments of Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Argentina turned toward the left.

The opposition plans primaries in 2023 with a view to the next presidential elections, scheduled for 2024. Guaidó sounds like a candidate.

(With information from AFP)

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