THE HAGUE–The Netherlands has joined the group of nations formally recognising Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok said the move was designed to put pressure on incumbent President Nicolás Maduro to hold “free, democratic and transparent” elections as soon as possible.
An eight-day deadline set by seven European Union (EU) nations, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, for Maduro to announce elections expired on Monday.
The Netherlands will retain its diplomats in Caracas, but is diverting its channels of communication to Guaidó.
The EU has been unable to take a collective position because countries such as Italy and Greece are unwilling to recognise Guaidó. The lack of unanimity means the EU is unable to impose sanctions against Maduro’s government. Russia has also weighed in to the row, accusing the EU of foreign interference.
Guaidó named himself interim president last month after weeks of riots and protests against Maduro, who is accused of not organising completely free elections.
Venezuela has been in a deep political and economic crisis for months, with many of its residents facing starvation. Millions of people have already fled the country. The Netherlands is closely monitoring the situation in the country. Venezuela is close to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire and is the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ largest neighbour.
The United States, Canada and a number of large South American countries have already recognised Guaidó as interim president. United States President Donald Trump imposed economic sanctions against Venezuela to force Maduro to step down. Trump also said he would consider military intervention in the country if Maduro does not renounce power.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84967-update-netherlands-recognises-guaido-as-venezuela-s-interim-president
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