Venezuela’s opposition leader, Juan Guaido, announced his intentions for the ‘largest march in Venezuela’s history’ to take place on May 1 to show opposition to the presidency of Nicolas Maduro. Although the United States and most Western countries consider Guaido Venezuela’s legitimate leader, President Maduro is still backed by China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Venezuela’s state institutions (i.e. its military).
Guaido, the head of the National Assembly (controlled by the opposition party), used the Constitution to declare himself interim President earlier this year, insisting Maduro’s Presidency to be illegitimate. One part of Guaido’s plan to gain full control of the Presidency is to hold this march on May 1, International Workers Day, to demand Maduro to step down. Although he did not specify a location, it has been suggested that the march will occur at the Presidential palace.
Historically, Maduro’s socialist party has responded to Guaido with simultaneous marches. Maduro blames Guaido for Venezuela’s current economic issues, such as hyperinflation, six ongoing years of recession, and shortages of basic goods due to a United States-led economic war. Another problem facing Guaido is that Maduro remains in control of most of Venezuela’s government programs, including its military. Nonetheless, Guaido’s supporters remain optimistic for change.
I thought there were a lot of interesting aspects to this article. I never fully understood the political situation in Venezuela or the fact that the United States recognizes Guaido, rather than Maduro, as President until I read this article. I think it will be interesting to see what the turnout is for Guaido’s march, if it is successful, and if Maduro will sponsor an opposing march at the same time. The fact that most of the Western powers support Guaido and countries such as China and Russia support Maduro reminds me of the coups and autocratic regimes supported by the United States during the Cold War. I would be interested in learning more about Guaido’s policies as opposed to Maduro’s, what the Venezuelan people support, and how Guaido could theoretically assume control of Maduro’s military if he is successful.