Foreign News

UK formally recognises Juan Guaido as new Venezuelan president

Published

5 years ago

February 4, 2019

UK formally recognises Juan Guaido as new Venezuelan president

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the UK and other European countries have taken the step to end a “humanitarian crisis”. Mr Guaido is challenging Nicolas Maduro for the presidency in a move that has been backed by most Western powers.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted the announcement, saying other “European allies” have taken the step to help end a “humanitarian crisis” in the South American country. He said: “The United Kingdom now recognises Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, until credible presidential elections can be held.

“The people of Venezuela have suffered enough. It is time for a new start, with free and fair elections in accordance with international democratic standards.
“The oppression of the illegitimate, kleptocratic Maduro regime must end. Those who continue to violate the human rights of ordinary Venezuelans under an illegitimate regime will be called to account. The Venezuelan people deserve a better future.”

Spain, France, Sweden, Germany and Denmark have also declared their support for the 35-year-old leader of the country’s National Assembly after Mr Maduro missed an eight-day deadline for calling a new presidential election. Chancellor Angela Merkel said during a visit to Tokyo: “As of yesterday, no presidential election had been called. Therefore Guaido is the person we are talking to and we expect him to begin an election process as soon as possible.

“He is the legitimate interim president for this task from Germany’s point of view and from the point of view of several European countries. “We hope that this process can be carried out as quickly and peacefully as possible.”

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged Mr Guaido to call an election as soon as possible. Mr Sanchez said Spain was “working for the return of full democracy in Venezuela” and would be putting together a humanitarian aid programme for the country.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter: “Venezuelans have the right to express themselves freely and democratically. “France recognizes @jguaido as ‘interim president’ to implement an electoral process.”

Mr Maduro still has the backing of Russia, China and Turkey and has been kept in power by the support of Venezuela’s military. The Kremlin was quick to condemn European countries from recognising Mr Guaido as interim president. It said the move amounted to foreign meddling and that Venezuelans should resolve their political crisis, not other countries.

Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “attempts to legitimise usurped power” constituted “interference in Venezuela’s affairs and would not result in “peaceful, effective and lasting settlement of the crisis the Venezuelans are going through”.

Mr Guaido made a plea to European countries last week to recognize him as leader to help “rebuild” the country after soaring inflation and violent protests. In an interview with Sky’s Stuart Ramsay, he said: “I think it’s not just about the help of the United States, it’s ultimately at an international level. With European countries that are willing to help rebuild.”

Mr Guaido declared himself interim president a fortnight after Mr Maduro was sworn in for another term as leader. He told crowds in the capital, Caracas, that he would steer the country until new elections were held. Mr Maduro’s time in office has been marked by economic collapse, hyperinflation and shortages of many basic goods and medicines.

Mr Guaido stunned the world when on 23 January when he declared himself as acting president at a rally and declared Mr Maduro’s presidency was “illegitimate” and founded on flawed elections.

Source- Sky news

Foreign News

EKWEREMADU : DABIRI-EREWA PLEADS FOR COMPASSION

Published

12 months ago

May 3, 2023

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMl TESLIM

Foreign News

DABIRI-EREWA BAGS YET ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL HONOR

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2023

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Foreign News

Chizoba: FG Will Demand Full Investigation into Her Death in Ethiopian Prison- Dabiri-Erewa

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2023

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia will demand full investigation into the circumstances that led to the death.of a Nigerian, Chizoba Favor Eze ,in Ethiopian Prison.

Reacting to the reported death of Chizobia Eze, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said the Commission is in contact with the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia and the
circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident will be thoroughly looked into.

She expressed concern over the reported conditions of some Nigerians, serving various jail terms in Ethiopia, most of whom were drug related.

She also said the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia has proposed an MOU from the Nigerian Correctional Service on transfer of sentenced persons to Nigeria with the Ethiopian authorities to complete their respective jail terms in Nigeria, and are awaiting a response from Ethiopia , adding that though Ethiopia had granted an amnesty to Nigerian Prisoners in 2019 , a number of them still found their way back to the country and allegedly still committed the same drug related crimes and were re- arrested.

The NIDCOM boss sent her deepest condolences to the family of Chizoba,
who was said to have died in Kaliti Prison , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on sunday March 12, 2023 following an alleged physical aggression.