Russia Offers Support To Embattled Venezuelan Leader, Condemns Bid To 'Usurp Power'
Nicolas Maduro attends a rally in support of his government and to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas on January 23.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has "expressed support" to his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, in a telephone call, after an opposition leader declared himself interim leader of the South American country.
Moscow on January 24 condemned foreign powers for backing Maduro rival Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president the previous day as tens of thousands of people marched across Venezuela against Maduro, calling it an attempt to "usurp power."
Guaido’s move was recognized by the United States, Canada, and some Latin American and European countries.
Russia, China, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Turkey were among the countries voicing their backing for Maduro's government.
Maduro took office in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chavez. He was sworn in for a second term two weeks ago following elections in May 2018 that were marred by an opposition boycott and claims of vote-rigging.
Maduro has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses and for his handling of Venezuela's economy.
An estimated 3 million people have fled the country amid hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of basic items like medicine and food.
Guaido has said that articles within Venezuela’s constitution allow him, as the head of the National Assembly, to assume interim power because he believes Maduro's election is invalid.
He has vowed to lead a transitional government and hold free elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as the interim head of state moments after his declaration in Caracas, describing Maduro's leadership as "illegitimate."
Venezuela In Crisis As Opposition Leader Declares Himself Acting President
1/15A police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on January 23. Maduro was sworn in early in January following his reelection in a poll considered fraudulent by much of the international community.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
2/15Members of the national police force clash with protesters during an antigovernment demonstration in Caracas on January 23.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
3/15Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declares himself the country's acting president during the mass protests on January 23. U.S. President Donald Trump said he recognized Guaido as interim president, prompting Maduro's government to break off diplomatic ties with Washington.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
4/15Antigovernment protesters hold up their hands as Guaido took an oath swearing himself in as acting president.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
5/15Protesters face off with police in Caracas. At least four people were reported to have died in overnight clashes before the nationwide protests.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
6/15Paramedics rescue a wounded member of the national guard during clashes with opposition demonstrators. The January 23 protests took place on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew Venezuela's military dictatorship.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
7/15Security forces hold their position during protests in Tachira, western Venezuela.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
8/15An antigovernment uses toothpaste around her eyes to help lessen the effects of tear gas.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
9/15Demonstrators take to the streets of Caracas after members of the opposition called for people to ignore the legitimacy of Maduro's second term. Along with charges of election fraud, Maduro has been criticized for his handling of Venezuela's collapsing economy and for alleged human rights abuses.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
10/15An officer takes his position as thousands demonstrate in Caracas.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
11/15A supporter of President Nicolas Maduro's government wears a button depicting Argentine-born revolutionary leader Che Guevara while taking part in a counterprotest.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
12/15Opposition demonstrators chant slogans in Caracas.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
13/15A confrontation in Caracas
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
14/15A paramedic helps a protester suffering from the effects of tear gas.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
15/15Troops detain an antiovernment protester.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on January 23 as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Some of the nationwide protests have turned violent, reportedly leaving at least four people dead. With Venezuela in the midst of economic collapse, Maduro was reelected last year in a vote labeled illegitimate at home and abroad.
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In response, Maduro gave all U.S. diplomatic staff in the country 72 hours to leave the country, but Washington said it did not accept his authority to order the diplomats out.
However, the U.S. State Department announced late on January 24 that nonessential diplomats and staff at the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela would leave the country.
The department said it was taking the step for security reasons and that the embassy in Caracas will stay open.
Russia, which has had close relations with Venezuela under Maduro and Chavez, threw its weight behind the embattled Venezuelan leader.
The Kremlin said Putin called Maduro and "expressed support for the legitimate authorities of Venezuela in the context of a domestic political crisis that has been provoked from the outside."
The Russian president emphasized that "destructive foreign interference tramples on basic norms of the international law," according to a statement.
Earlier, Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Maduro was "the legitimate head of state" and called Guaido's announcement an "attempt to usurp power," while Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev denounced "this quasi-government coup."
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that support for Guaido was a "direct path to lawlessness and bloodshed."
Moscow has lent billions of dollars to Venezuela and has backed its oil industry. The South American country has also purchased millions of dollars in Russian military equipment in recent years.
Russia has recently sent two nuclear-capable strategic bombers to the country to participate in military maneuvers in an unusual display of Russian military force in South America.
With reporting by the BBC, AP, Reuters, Interfax, and AFP
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