US backs Venezuelan opposition leader
Juan Guaido declares himself interim president with US support

The United States has taken an almost unprecedented step of officially declaring its support of an opposition candidate in Venezuela, following 35-year-old Juan Guaido’s public announcement that he is now the interim president.
The BBC reports that a number of South American nations, “including Brazil, Colombia and Peru, have also recognised Mr Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate president”.
In a televised statement, US Vice President Mike Pence called on Venezuelan citizens to “make your voices heard” against President Nicolas Maduro, whom he called a “dictator with no legitimate claim to power”, Bloomberg says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The announcement came as thousands of Guaido backers took to the streets in a revitalized effort against Maduro, whose military response to the widespread demonstrations seemed more measured than in the past,” says CNN.
The BBC reports that under Manduro, “hyperinflation, power cuts and shortages of basic items have driven millions of people out of Venezuela”.
Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month. However the election was marred by a boycott from opposition parties and widespread claims of vote rigging.
Maduro responded to the US calls to back Guaido by giving the US and its diplomatic staff 72 hours to leave the country.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Acid rain is back: the sequel nobody wanted
Under The Radar A 'forever chemical' in rainwater is reviving a largely forgotten environmental issue
-
Book reviews: 'Clint: The Man and the Movies' and 'What Is Wrong With Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything'
Feature A deep dive on Clint Eastwood and how Michael Douglas' roles reflect a shift in masculinity
-
Recreation or addiction? Military base slot machines rake in millions.
Under the Radar There are several thousand slot machines on military bases
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law