Crisis in Venezuela. Numerous demonstrations, an attempt to eliminate Maduro and reaction of the international community – Le Monde

In Venezuela, on January 10, the inauguration of President took place Nicholas Maduro . He became the country's president for the second time, after the elections of May 20, 2018. The Venezuelan Central Electoral Commission announced the victory of the outgoing president who garnered about 70% of the voters' votes. Thus, Nicolas Maduro is sure to be president of Venezuela until 2025. This began a mass riot and an attempt to change power in the country.

Context of the Crisis

During its first cadence, Maduro turned Venezuela, which was one of the most promising countries in the region, into an economically backward country in which freedom of speech and the opposition were removed. that the international community imposes sanctions.

For five years, Venezuela's GDP dropped by 45% and inflation reached 2,007,563,646%. The country raises the minimum wage almost every month, but because of the devaluation of the currency, it is currently around $ 10.

Due to difficult social conditions, nearly 3 million people have left the country. By 2018, emigration has accelerated considerably – about 5.5 thousand Venezuelans travel every day. According to United Nations forecasts, the total number of emigrants from Venezuela could reach 5 million.

Position of Neighbors

After the defeat of the declared Venezuelan CEC, Maduro, most of the countries of South America, the United States and even the country's parliament have declared that they do not did not recognize it. legitimacy of the president. The countries that did not recognize the victory recalled their ambassadors from Caracas, and the United States imposed additional economic sanctions and demanded to hold new elections .

# 23E of the #Venezuela . Detractores of @NicolasMaduro I went to the conference on propaganda and the president @jguaido como. pic.twitter.com/kt2GvD5P1D

– Jorge L. Perez Valery (@perezvalery) Jan. 23, 2019

Mass demonstrations shook Venezuela. The parliament, now led by the opposition, has recognized Maduro as a "usurper" and has called on the countries of the world to freeze Maduro's access to the accounts of foreign banks. The only legitimate leader of Venezuelan parliamentarians, the president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaydo, 35 years old, was elected.

The culmination of events

Hundreds of thousands of citizens responded to the call of the opposition to withdraw from the current president in the streets of Caracas. The first gatherings took place in 2017, but the power structures managed to quell the mass riots. At that time, at least 100 people were killed. The demonstrations have now unprecedented roots: hundreds of thousands of protesters have come out on the street and at least four people have died at a preliminary date.

However, the events began to unfold more quickly: the opposition leader Huang Guayido declared himself president of Venezuela, the only one in the world. National Assembly said that Guaido acted as president of the country. The United States immediately recognized their legitimacy. The relevant statement was made public by the White House.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in turn, called Maduro to cede power to a young opposition. "The Venezuelan people have long suffered from the devastating dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro and we call Maduro to give up the legitimate leader who demonstrates the will of the Venezuelan people," said the US Secretary of State.

Several other countries joined the United States at the time of publication: Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Costa Rica.

Juan Guadio also supported the Organization of American States. The head of this organization, Luis Almagro, wrote on Twitter, addressing the Venezuelan opposition: "You have all our gratitude for starting the return of democracy in the country".

Another opinion is predicted by supporters of Maduro: Mexico and Russia. In particular, Kostiantyn Kosachev, chairman of the Council of the Federation's Committee on International Affairs, called for US policy on Venezuela's intervention in the affairs of a sovereign state.
"All current US policy towards Venezuela, especially Trump's latest statements, constitutes direct and reckless interference in his internal affairs," Kosachev said.

Mexican Foreign Ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco also voiced his support for Maduro. "The Mexican government still recognizes Nicholas Maduro as president of Venezuela," said the official.

Maduro has already reacted to what was happening in the country: he accused the United States of attempting to commit a coup d'etat, announced the dissolution of diplomatic relations with the United States, given to diplomats Americans 72 hours to leave the country and called Guaido a non-confrontational president. 19659003] And now?

Now, everything depends on the army, and what will be the decision of its generals: be on the side of Maduro or support the forces of the opposition. The battles have already shaken the streets of Caracas. Protesters began throwing stones and bottles at the National Guard. The Venezuelan National Guard fought back with tear gas.

The media has already received initial reports of a massive transition of military police and militarized police in Caracas alongside protesters. Trump himself has already said that he did not rule out any scenario for Caracas. The United States is probably willing to provide not only political support for the Speaker of Parliament.