Trump administration recognizes Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s President

The U.S. State Department recognized Venezuela’s opposition leader as the president of the country, in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“The United States recognizes Juan Guaido as the new interim President of Venezuela, and strongly supports his courageous decision to assume that role pursuant to Article 233 of Venezuela’s constitution and supported by the National Assembly, in restoring democracy to Venezuela,” the State Department said.

The statement said that the Venezuelan people have suffered long enough under Nicolas Maduro’s disastrous dictatorship and called on Maduro to step aside in favor of a legitimate leader reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people.

President Trump said that “the people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law.”

The United States will work closely with the legitimately elected National Assembly to facilitate the transition of Venezuela back to democracy and the rule of law, consistent with the Inter-American Democratic Charter and stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela as conditions allow.

“The Venezuelan people are clamoring for a free and democratic Venezuela,” the statement reads. “The United States, with the international community, including the Organization of American States, the Lima Group, and the European Union, support the Venezuelan people as they seek to restore their democracy.”

The new Venezuelan government carries the flame of democracy on behalf of Venezuela and the United States pledges its continued support to President Guaido, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people.