Juan Guaidó: "We ask the Vatican to support the transition process, hold free elections and participate in the humanitarian emergency"

However, stresses that it will do everything that generates the "lowest social cost" to achieve "free elections" take Venezuela out of the worst crisis of its contemporary history.

Sitting in a large leather chair, Guaidó, a 35-year-old engineer, spoke on Friday with AFP on the culmination of the dispute since his proclamation as interim president, January 23, with the support of 50 countries under the leadership of the United States.

– Would not your hand be shaking to authorize a US military intervention?

– We will do all that is necessary, all that we have to do to save lives, so that children do not die (…) or suffer from kidney disorders. We will do anything that has a lower social cost, generates governance and stability to be able to attend the emergency. The days in Venezuela already count in human lives. From January 23 to 30, they coldly murdered FAES, a unit of the armed forces, with 70 youths. What Maduro does is try to have an outside enemy, to make common cause with a part of the world, but it is not a problem of left or right, it is a question of humanity, and we will do everything in our power to do so sovereignly and autonomously, to end the usurpation, the transitional government and free elections. "

– Would you use the powers you have as president of the badembly and president in charge to authorize the intervention of a foreign force?

– We will do everything we can. This is obviously a very controversial issue, but by making use of our sovereignty, exercising our skills, we will do what is necessary.

– How are the revenues of humanitarian aid progressing?

– When we have enough supplies, we will try a first time to enter. We know that there is a blockade at Tienditas (border with Colombia), that the armed forces have an important dilemma: accept this aid or not. It would be almost miserable not to accept it. On Saturday and Sunday, we will have the confirmation of a great volunteer to even pick him up if it is necessary at the points of entry. "

– When will be the first attempt?

– I think it will be next week, when we will have formed the volunteer and organized the distribution process. "

– Is there a possibility of crash?

– It will be a dilemma for the military. It's an order we gave you. They will have the decision to take it. It can also give way to a transitional government. "

– If the troops leave Maduro, there would be civilian groups which, according to the opposition, were armed by the ruling party. Have you weighed this risk?

– With political will, cooperation can be minimized very quickly, because not only are they armed, but they are still funding them, and funding is getting faster and faster. This is why it is important to seek the protection of Venezuelan badets around the world so that they do not use it to finance irregular groups. I see very little room for maneuver for a group that will not receive funding. "

– Why do you think that the offer of amnesty has not yet produced a mbadive defection of the high command?

– You have to go further in that. We saw openly a general of division a few days ago. We have seen sergeants in the National Guard express their dissatisfaction and are being tortured. One of the sergeants' parents is missing. This is not only because of the offer, but also because the fear operates, the persecution that they have exerted on the armed forces. Part of what we have to overcome is to explain very well that (the armed forces) have a role to play in the reconstruction and we hope that it is not a question of quotas, but of block declarations. "

– Have you had contacts with Chinese and Russian officials, Maduro's allies?

– We have tried to have contact with most countries in the world and we are open to talking with everyone. I am convinced that Moscow and Beijing are very clear about the situation in Venezuela, that Maduro does not have the popular support, that it can not stabilize the economy, that it has produced the highest inflation in the world and that it has reduced GDP by 53 points in five years. largest oil reserves on the planet. "

– Will you receive the emissaries of the international contact group in search of a negotiated solution?

– We are willing to talk to everyone with an agenda, yes, very specific. In 2017, Maduro attempted a dialogue in which he even mocked the Vatican to save time and not to hold free elections. We are not willing to lend ourselves to a false dialogue. "

– Does the position of Pope Francis seem tepid?

– He did not receive anybody from the government. He does not even take them into account anymore. Our request to the Vatican is the same as that of nearly 60 countries that have recognized us: support for the transition process, free elections and response to the humanitarian emergency. "

– Has there been a dialogue with the IMF for a possible financial bailout?

– Yes, we are moving forward not only with the Fund, but also with all multilateral agencies willing to lend themselves to a sound financial aid regime. If we manage to recover 15%, 20% or 30% of funds escaped because of corruption, between $ 300,000 and $ 400,000 million, we will have a lead for the rescue. "

– Are you worried that time is pbading and the street is cold?

– This worries all Venezuelans, but time is in our favor. Every day that I am free, in the performance of my duties, is a day of victory for democracy, one day that Maduro continues to isolate. I think he's losing it every day. "

(By Alexandre MARTINEZ, AFP)