Venezuela’s opposition has put an end to Juan Guaidó’s interim government, voting against renewing his US-backed strategy to oust President Nicolás Maduro. The vote was a blow to the United States, which had consistently supported Guaidó.
This marks the end of a four-year effort to bring about regime change that began in 2019, when Guaidó claimed the mantle as the country’s rightful leader with the backing of the opposition parties and several governments following rigged elections.
Guaidó pleaded in vain on Thursday for a delay in the vote.
“My proposal is that the institution be defended above individuals or personal interests and that this tool not be destroyed,” he said.
The proposal to eliminate the parallel government passed a second and final round of voting in the opposition-led National Assembly with 72 votes in favor, 29 against, and 8 abstentions.
As of January 4, Guaidó’s interim rule will be terminated, and the National Assembly will temporarily assume some of his responsibilities, mainly to protect Venezuelan assets abroad that were under his care. However, it is not clear if the National Assembly will be able to fulfill this task.
Guaidó has been the face of Venezuela’s fractured opposition since 201 and was recognized as interim head of state by most countries, including the United States and the European Union. Mainly supported by Russia, Belarus, Iran, China, President Nicolas Maduro called the incident an attempted coup.
Guaidó’s influence has waned in recent years as President Maduro has held onto power and the opposition has become divided. International support for Guaidó’s interim government has also dwindled, with the US easing sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry under President Joe Biden’s administration.
In addition, some Latin American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, have recently elected leftist leaders.
Venezuela has been in the midst of an economic, political, and humanitarian crisis since 2014, as a government claiming socialist ideals has dismantled the country’s democratic institutions and left much of the population impoverished.