US Backs Venezuela Opposition Leader Guaido's Call For Transitional Government - Pence

The US government supports Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's call for a transitional government in his country, Vice President Mike Pence said in a video message to the Venezuelan people on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2019) The US government supports Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's call for a transitional government in his country, Vice President Mike Pence said in a video message to the Venezuelan people on Tuesday.

"[T]he United States supports the courageous decision by Juan Guaido, the President of the National Assembly, to assert that body's constitutional powers, declare [President Nicolas] Maduro a usurper, and call for the establishment of a transitional government," Pence said.

Pence also attacked the twice-elected Venezuelan President Maduro's legitimacy in his video message.

"Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He has never won the presidency in a free and fair election, and has maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him," Pence said.

On Tuesday, the Venezuelan National Assembly adopted a statement declaring Maduro was a usurper with all the decisions made by the president and the executive bodies void. Maduro replied he would hold the National Assembly accountable for ridiculing the country's constitution.