It has been a gruelling few days for Venezuelan opposition leader and legislative chief Juan Guaido, who entered the country’s congressional palace after a tense standoff with secrity forces, who barred him from entering on the grounds that the Nicolas Maduro had already installed his own legislative council.
While Maduro won the 2018 election, whose results have been challenged by Guaido, he had not had control of the country’s legislature. That changed on Sunday, when Maduro blocked opposition lawmakers from entering the National Assembly, at a time when it was due to vote for a new president of the chamber of deputies.
Maduro loyalist, Luis Parra, was sworn in to replace Guaido.
This, dubbed Venezuela’s latest ‘coup’, left Guaido out on the streets with no legislative powers to enact. However, in a defiant move, Guaido was elected the legislative chief on Sunday by his party members, in a session held outside of the palace.
Tuesday saw Guaido finally enter the palace, as he vowed to reclaim the legislature.
Both Mexico and the US have condemned Maduro’s move to take over the legislature. On Monday., US Vice Preisdnet Mike Pence called up Guaido to announce his support for him.
The US has backed Guaido over Maduro. Maduro took over from Hugo Chavez after his death in 2013 and has presided over economic turmoil in the country. A period of hyperinflation that began in 2016 continues into 2020.
