Legitimacy of Juan Guaidó? |
Juan Guaidó is a 35-year-old industrial engineer who also completed two postgraduate programs in public administration at George Washington University in the United States and at the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA) in Venezuela. His activism and involvement in politics began right after the Vargas tragedy in 1999, a natural disaster that killed tens of thousands of people. Guaidó, a resident of Vargas, became homeless as a result of the torrential rain and flash floods that destroyed his home. When he saw the ineffective response of Hugo Chávez’s newly-elected government, Guaidó said: "I saw that if I wanted a better future for my country I had to roll up my sleeves and give my life to public service." (Source: New York Times). He founded a student-led movement and in 2007 helped organize demonstrations against the closing of RCTV, Venezuela’s most popular TV network, when Chávez refused to renew its broadcast license.
His participation in the student movement led to Guaidó becoming a founding member of the social-democratic Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) party. He was elected to represent the people of the state of Vargas in the National Assembly in 2015. Guaidó became president of that body, the country’s legislative branch, on January 10, 2019 and Venezuela’s Interim President on January 23, 2019.
Guaidó is the son of a commercial pilot and a housewife, and one of seven children. His wife, Fabiana Rosales, is a journalist and together, they have a daughter named Miranda.
His participation in the student movement led to Guaidó becoming a founding member of the social-democratic Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) party. He was elected to represent the people of the state of Vargas in the National Assembly in 2015. Guaidó became president of that body, the country’s legislative branch, on January 10, 2019 and Venezuela’s Interim President on January 23, 2019.
Guaidó is the son of a commercial pilot and a housewife, and one of seven children. His wife, Fabiana Rosales, is a journalist and together, they have a daughter named Miranda.
Timeline: How did Juan Guaidó become Interim President of Venezuela?
* Why were the elections of May 20th, 2018 illegitimate?
These are the main two reasons why the opposition decided to boycott the 2018 presidential elections. The official turnout figure was given as 46 percent, compared to about 80 percent in the last two presidential elections.
- The ANC, in defiance of the National Assembly majority legitimately won by the Opposition in 2015, called for elections to be held in May of 2018, rather than in December when they are usually held.
- The three main opposition political parties were disabled by Maduro’s government because they were not part of the 2017 local Mayor elections, which were also called by the ANC.
These are the main two reasons why the opposition decided to boycott the 2018 presidential elections. The official turnout figure was given as 46 percent, compared to about 80 percent in the last two presidential elections.
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Source: Carlos Becerra
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Nevertheless, Maduro assumed office on January 10, 2019, following a widespread rejection by the international community. What followed is what is being disputed in the international community as whether Juan Guaidó had the power to become interim president. Guaidó as the President of the National Assembly, is well within his power to assume the presidency of Venezuela on a provisional basis. Not only were the presidential elections held last year unfree and unfair, but more than 50 countries did not recognize their results—leaving Maduro with no domestic or international legitimacy as president.
According to articles 233, 333 and 350, Juan Guaidó is well within his power as president of the National Assembly to assume the presidency of Venezuela on a provisional basis.
In defiance of threats to his freedom and safety, Juan Guaidó publicly took the oath of office in front of a historic nationwide protest. More than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, and Latin American nations wisely moved quickly to recognize Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
Guaidó was little known among Venezuelans until he became president of the National Assembly earlier this year. Guaidó was elected unanimously following a coalition “pact” to rotate the National Assembly’s presidency every January 5.
According to articles 233, 333 and 350, Juan Guaidó is well within his power as president of the National Assembly to assume the presidency of Venezuela on a provisional basis.
In defiance of threats to his freedom and safety, Juan Guaidó publicly took the oath of office in front of a historic nationwide protest. More than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, and Latin American nations wisely moved quickly to recognize Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
Guaidó was little known among Venezuelans until he became president of the National Assembly earlier this year. Guaidó was elected unanimously following a coalition “pact” to rotate the National Assembly’s presidency every January 5.
Maduro vs. Guaidó: A Global Scorecard
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Source: Foreign Policy
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