| schema:articleBody
| - A power struggle has been raging in Venezuela since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president in January 2019 in a bid to oust Nicolas Maduro. Here is an overview: Guaido -- head of the opposition-dominated National Assembly -- declares himself acting president at a massive rally in Caracas on January 23. It comes two weeks after Maduro started a second term following elections boycotted by the opposition and internationally dismissed as fraudulent. Venezuela's oil-based economy has collapsed. Guaido is recognized by nearly 60 countries, led by the United States. But China, Cuba and Russia remain behind Maduro, as does the military. On January 28, Washington orders sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA and hands control of its US bank accounts to Guaido. Guaido attends on February 22 a Venezuelan aid concert inside Colombia organized by Richard Branson, defying a ban on leaving the country. The next day, clashes break out at the border with Brazil when the Venezuelan military stops international aid from entering. Guaido goes on to visit several countries in the region, and is received like a head of state, before returning to Caracas on March 4. On April 30 an insurrection by soldiers supporting Guaido fails. US President Donald Trump on August 6 freezes Venezuelan government assets in the United States. In response, Maduro cancels talks with Guaido's team. On November 16, about 5,000 Guaido supporters demonstrate against Maduro in the opposition's biggest rally since May, but the turnout is far lower than expected. Opposition lawmakers reappoint Guaido as speaker on January 5, 2020 in a session held at a newspaper office after police block him from entering the National Assembly. A rival parliamentarian, Luis Parra, claims the position from inside the legislature and is acknowledged by Maduro. Guaido is sworn in two days later, having to force his way past the National Guard to reach the speaker's seat. From January 19-February 11 Guaido goes on a diplomatic offensive, visiting Colombia, Europe, Canada and the United States, where he meets Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. On March 10, several thousand respond to Guaido's call to demonstrate in Caracas, as he seeks to reignite the protest movement and demand a new presidential election. Maduro imposes a nationwide state-of-alert and lockdown for Venezuela's 30 million people in mid-March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Venezuela officially has more than 1,800 COVID-19 cases and around 20 deaths, but international organizations and the opposition say this is an underestimate. On March 26, the United States indicts Maduro for "narco-terrorism" and offers a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. On March 31, Washington calls for a transitional government. On May 3, the government says it foiled an incursion from the sea, by alleged mercenaries recruited by Guaido and aiming at overthrowing Maduro. It accused the United States of orchestrating the operation, with support from Colombia. More than 90 are arrested, including two former US soldiers. On May 26, the Supreme Court approves Guaido's rival Parra as parliament speaker. On June 4, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza says Guaido is sheltering at the French embassy in Caracas. France denies the statement. ang-fm/jmy/db/dw
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)