Trump administration will use ‘full weight’ of diplomatic and economic pressure to restore democracy in Venezuela

The U.S. State Department released a statement Friday assuring the Venezuelan National Assembly that the United States stands with them and the Venezuelan people against the tyranny of Nicolas Maduro.

We stand with the Venezuelan people, and we praise the fierce commitment to democratic principles of the elected members of the Venezuelan National Assembly. We commend the courage of the National Assembly’s leadership, particularly its president, Juan Guaido, and his decision to invoke the authorities of the Venezuelan Constitution.

We call on all Venezuelans to uphold and respect the role of the National Assembly, as established in the Venezuelan Constitution of 1999, and, in particular, for the security forces and the armed forces to respect all protections the constitution affords to Guaido and the other members of the National Assembly, especially their safety and welfare.

The people of Venezuela deserve to live in freedom in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. It is time to begin the orderly transition to a new government. We support the National Assembly’s call for all Venezuelans to work together, peacefully, to restore constitutional government and build a better future.

The United States government will continue to use the full weight of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

The statement follows official remarks from the White House stating that the U.S. “does not recognize Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s illegitimate claim to power.”

“His “election” in May 2018 was viewed internationally as not free, fair or credible,” the White House said in a statement Friday. “In particular, we support the courageous decision of the National Assembly President, Juan Guaido, to invoke protections under Venezuela’s constitution and declare that Maduro does not legitimately hold the country’s presidency.”