The U.S. government has clarified that it recognizes opposition figure Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s «interim president» and is working with him to «restore democracy,» in response to speculation about a potential imminent end to a key endorsement for the Venezuelan leader.
Last week, sources consulted by the ‘Financial Times’ and CNN anticipated that Joe Biden’s Administration was already preparing the withdrawal of recognition to Guaidó, who in January 2019 proclaimed himself ‘president in charge’ of Venezuela by asserting his headship of the National Assembly elected at the end of 2015.
The United States recognized this Assembly as the only legitimate institution in Venezuela and was the first country to endorse Guaidó’s step, but the lack of progress and the alleged internal divisions within the Venezuelan opposition have weakened his figure.
In recent months, moreover, the US government has maintained contacts with the Executive of Nicolás Maduro, with high-level visits and relaxation of some sanctions included.
The Biden Administration, however, «recognizes the interim president Guaidó», as confirmed to Europa Press by a US State Department spokesperson who did not allude to possible timetables for the end of this explicit support.
Washington, this source explained, is working «closely» with the cabinet of the opposition and with the Unitary Platform, which brings together the main parties, to «move towards a negotiated solution that leads to the restoration of democracy in Venezuela».
Guaidó, in statements to CNN after the dissemination of the alleged U.S. plans, said to have the support of the United States until there are «free and fair» elections in Venezuela. «The opinion of two leaders is the opinion of two leaders,» he settled, questioning government sources.
OPPOSITION PRIMARIES The debate on the symbolic U.S. recognition of Guaidó also comes at a time when the Venezuelan opposition has begun to make moves to prepare for the next big electoral event, the 2024 presidential elections.
The opposition aspires to run again united, after a process of primaries to choose a common candidate who can challenge Chavism with options. Guaidó has not disclosed whether he will run and three of the main parties –Una Nueva Era, Acción Democrática and Primero Justicia– would now be in favor of removing him as leader, according to sources quoted by ‘The Wall Street Journal’ after a meeting held in Panama.
«We are very close to reach the consensus that the internal government experiment has not worked and we need a new structure», explained one of the sources consulted by the US newspaper.
