US supports opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela president

Juan Guaidó declared himself acting leader in Caracas on Wednesday. Some minutes after the 35-year-old declared himself, several South American countries has recognized him as the legitimate president.

US President Donald Trump has said he recognises Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president. Other South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Peru, have also recognised Mr Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month, after a vote marred by an opposition boycott and widespread claims of vote-rigging and these recognition comes amid mass protests against President Nicolás Maduro who has overseen years of economic freefall. Millions of people have been driven out of Venezuela due to Hyperinflation, power cuts and shortages of basic items.

The public recognition against Mr Maduro which was given by Mr Trump has lead to a break in diplomatic ties with the US and with Mr Maduro giving USA's diplomatic staff 72 hours to leave Venezuela.

In his statement, he accused Washington of trying to govern Venezuela from afar and said the opposition was seeking to stage a coup.

"We've had enough interventionism, here we have dignity, damn it!" he said in a televised address from the presidential palace.

In a statement given by Mr Trump, he described Mr Maduro as an "illegitimate" leader and said the country's congress was the only "legitimate branch of government" in the country.

He stated further that "The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law, the US would hold Mr Maduro's regime "directly responsible" for any threats to the safety of the Venezuelan people and I will also urge other nations to follow suit in supporting Mr Guaidó" concluded president Donald Trump. 

Seven South American countries - Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Paraguay - have publicly done so as at the time of writing this report. Canada has also given its backing to Mr Guaidó, while European Council President Donald Tusk said he hoped the EU would "unite in support of democratic forces". But Mexico, Bolivia and Cuba have expressed support for Mr Maduro.

Mike Pompeo, the secretary of State has also urged Venezuela's military to support efforts to restore democracy and said the US would back Mr Guaidó's attempts to establish a government.