A few days before his swearing-in for a second mandate, opposition to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is growing: the opposition-controlled parliament has declared the upcoming term of office of the head of state unlawful. „We reaffirm the illegitimacy of Nicolas Maduro,“ said new Parliament President Juan Guaido yesterday.
Maduro is to be sworn in on Thursday for a second six-year term. The left-nationalist head of state was re-elected in May. However, the election was boycotted by the opposition and widely condemned by the international community as unfair. However, Parliament’s statement is a symbolic gesture, as Maduro de facto disempowered parliament through a constituent assembly.
Lima Group calls for a new election
Meanwhile, several Latin American states and the US are also protesting against Maduro. The foreign ministers of the Lima group had denied Maduro on Friday the legitimacy. Twelve Latin American countries and Canada announced that they would not recognize Maduro’s new term. They called on the President to return power to Parliament and pave the way for new elections.
The US, which has imposed a series of sanctions on Venezuela in recent months, reiterated its support for the opposition in the Latin American country yesterday. The National Assembly is the only „democratically elected institution“ in Venezuela, US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said. Washington supports parliamentarians in defending „democracy“ and promoting a change of government.
