Venezuelan opposition leader and interim president Juan Guaido has returned home.
Guaido left the country last month, ignoring a travel ban imposed by Venezuela’s highest court, which revoked his passport. His declared presidency is contested by socialist strongman Nicolas Maduro, but the United States and most other Western nations have recognized Guaido’s claim. He has been touring South America to shore up support for his presidency and coordinate with international aid organizations. Maduro has ordered the military to block humanitarian aid organized by the United States from entering the country.
Guaido, greeted by cheering crowds of supporters who eagerly awaited his return at the Maiquetia airport, declared that his movement was “stronger than ever.”
“We are going to achieve the end of the usurpation very soon in Venezuela,” Guaido exclaimed.
From the airport he was whisked to a rally in the capital, Caracas. Guaido risks arrest in returning to the country but called his return a win for the forces trying to unseat Maduro, who has presided over mass protests and starvation.
“Hope has been born and it will not die — things are going well,” Guaido said. “We are going to celebrate this small victory today.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeted a photo of Guaido arriving at the airport, saying: “#Venezuela President @jguaido landed at the airport & processed through customs without incident. Large crowds gathering to celebrate his return across the country. Tens of thousands await his arrival at the Alfredo Sadel Plaza in #Caracas.”
[Opinion: Why I thought Nicolas Maduro would be gone by now]
#Venezuela President @jguaido landed at the airport & processed through customs without incident. Large crowds gathering to celebrate his return across the country. Tens of thousands await his arrival at the Alfredo Sadel Plaza in #Caracas. pic.twitter.com/b7njxjTZK2
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 4, 2019
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Guaido’s return in a press release Monday. He reiterated U.S. support for Guaido’s presidency.
“The United States applauds the people of Venezuela for their actions to create a peaceful democratic transition, and congratulates Interim President Juan Guaido on his successful diplomatic efforts in the region and safe return to Venezuela,” Pompeo said. “The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world stand with Interim President Guaido.”
“The international community must unite and push for the end of Maduro’s brutal regime and the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela,” he added.
Guaido called on the country to “mobilize again” Saturday to protest Maduro and his regime.
