Christian Wenande
January 24th, 2019

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The situation in Venezuela has reached breaking point (photo: Pixabay)

Following a coup attempt in Venezuela this week, Denmark has officially stated that it intends to back opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who appointed himself the new interim president of the beleaguered country yesterday.

Guaidó, 35, declared at a rally that he would temporarily assume the reins of crisis-ridden Venezuela and end the controversial presidency of Nicolas Maduro – a statement that drew praise from the Danish foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen.

“New hope in #Venezuela. #Denmark will always support legitimate elected democratic institutions – not least the parliamentary assembly including @jguaido Juan Guaido. Working for a strong #EU statement,” Samuelsen wrote on Twitter.

READ MORE: Denmark to suspend arms exports to United Arab Emirates

A nation in turmoil
Aside from Denmark, the US and the EU have also officially conveyed their support to Guaido, and the Maduro-regime has ordered all US diplomats to leave Venezuela within 72 hours – an order that the US government has said it does not intend to obey as it now considers Guaido to be the leader of the country.

Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Paraguay have also expressed official support for Guaido, while Maduro – president since 2013 after taking over from Hugo Chavez – still retains the support of Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia.

But having the support of the Venezuelan military is critical to assuming power, and Maduro’s socialist government has reportedly worked hard to ensure the military leadership remains on his side.

Venezuela has struggled with massive inflation, rampant crime, unemployment and goods shortages in recent years, and Maduro’s regime has been accused of human rights abuses. A reported 3 million people have fled the country since 2014, and the annual inflation rate reached 1,300,000 percent in November 2018.

Jehovah witness facing 6 years in prison
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Danish-Indonesian island co-op showing potential
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Vestager lauded by revered magazine
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Teen robbed at knifepoint in Malta
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