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Maduro vs. Guaido: Who is backing whom?
CARACAS, Jan 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Venezuela has been receiving massive
attention from the international community since National Assembly chief Juan
Guaido declared himself acting interim president of Venezuela.
With socialist President Nicolas Maduro hanging on to power, these are
their respective key supports, inside and outside the OPEC member:
– Maduro
– Military: The Venezuela armed forces are considered the backbone of the
government, and on Thursday senior military officers reaffirmed support for
Maduro, claiming that there was an effective “coup” under way.
Of 32 cabinet ministers, nine are from the military and run portfolios
such as Defense, Interior, Agriculture and the intelligence service, as well
as state oil giant PDVSA, which contributes 96 percent of the country’s
income.
They also control a television station, a bank and a vehicle assembly
plant, among other companies.
But their support has come under some threat. The military attache of
Venezuela in Washington, Colonel Jose Luis Silva, announced Saturday that he
no longer recognizes Maduro as legitimate president, and urged his “military
brothers” to back Guaido.
– International creditors and allies: China, Venezuela’s biggest creditor
with some $20 billion dollars owed, said Thursday it opposed “external
interference” after the United States and some allies recognized Guaido as
interim leader.
Venezuela’s number two creditor, Russia, also backs it militarily: in
December it sent two bombers and some 100 officers to Caracas for joint
exercises. President Vladimir Putin called Maduro to express his “support.”
Countries such as Turkey, Cuba, Bolivia, Uruguay and Mexico — as well as
Iran and North Korea — continue to recognize the 56 year-old Maduro.
– Justice: Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) supports the Maduro
regime. Court justices were chosen by the pro-government National Assembly in
December 2015, just days before the opposition took control of the
legislature.
Since 2016 the top court has declared the opposition controlled
legislature in contempt and voided all of its actions. The court on Thursday
reiterated its support for Maduro regime.
Venezuela’s top prosecutor, Attorney General Tarek William Saab, also is a
Maduro loyalist.
– National Constituent Assembly: Maduro convened the staunchly pro-
government assembly after four months of opposition protests that left about
125 dead in 2017. It has absolute powers, and serves as the de facto
legislature. the opposition says it was created illegally.
– Electoral authority: The National Electoral Council (CNE), in charge of
running elections, is chaired by the openly pro-government Tibisay Lucena.
Under her management several opposition parties have been disqualified, and
on Thursday it issued a statement endorsing Maduro.
Rulings by pro-government judges and the CNE thwarted opposition efforts
to hold a referendum to revoke Maduro’s presidency in 2016, a vote allowed
under the constitution.
Opposition parties refused participate in the last elections, including
the May 2018 presidential vote in which Maduro was reelected, saying there
were no guarantees of impartiality. They say Maduro was elected through
fraud.
– Guaido
– International support: The United States, along with several Latin
America and European Union countries, refused to recognize Maduro’s
reelection.
When Guaido proclaimed himself acting interim president US President
Donald Trump quickly recognized him. Other countries, including Brazil,
Colombia, Argentina and Australia, quickly followed. On Sunday Israel said it
would recognize Guaido as president.
Six European countries — Spain, France, Germany, Britain, Portugal, the
Netherlands — on Saturday demanded that either Venezuela call elections
within eight days or they would recognize Guaido as interim leader.
Some European countries such as Greece still support Maduro.
The head of the Washington-based Organization of American States,
Uruguayan Luis Almagro, also gave his support to Guaido.
– National Assembly: The opposition-controlled National Assembly was
elected in 2015, when a coalition of opposition parties handed the leftist
regime its biggest electoral defeat ever.
After taking office on January 5, Guaido, 35, began to press for a
“transitional government” and new elections, calling on the military to break
with the government in exchange for an amnesty.
– Justice in exile: A Venezuelan Supreme Court in exile, with members
appointed by the National Assembly, on Wednesday welcomed Guaido’s “will” to
take over as acting leader pending new elections.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1026 hrs