Venezuela's Opposition Leader Declares Himself President: Wins US Recognition

This is outrageous. Simply outrageous.Times of Israel

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in a defiant speech Wednesday before masses of anti-government demonstrators who took to the streets to demand President Nicolas Maduro’s resignation. The bold challenge to Maduro’s rule immediately drew recognition from the Trump administration, which said it would use the “full weight” of US economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy.

 “Today, January 23, 2019, I swear to formally assume the powers of the national executive as president in charge of Venezuela,” he told the cheering crowd standing before a lectern emblazoned with Venezuela’s national coat of arms.

President @realDonaldTrump has officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela.— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 23, 2019

 US President Donald Trump in a statement called on other Western hemisphere governments to join him in recognizing Guaido.

Will Canada march in lock step with the US?

In response, Maduro announced on Wednesday he was breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States. 

“I’ve decided to break diplomatic and political relations with the imperialist government of the United States,” said Maduro to thousands of cheering supporters in Caracas.“Get out! Leave Venezuela, here there’s dignity, damn it,” he said, giving the US delegation 72 hours to quit the country.

Trump, just more of the same. From earlier today: