Venezuelan Opposition Leader Declares Himself Interim President

Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published January 24, 2019 | 12:27 AM

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) Juan Guaido, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition-run parliament, has declared himself interim president at a mass protest in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

"I swear to assume executive powers as Venezuela's interim president," he told a crowd of supporters in the northeastern Chacao district.

Thousands of people rallied in the capital on Wednesday after a call from Guaido to defy incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking at the improvised ceremony, the 35-year-old said he was not afraid of being jailed and promised to seek humanitarian aid from abroad.

President Maduro has so far rejected demands by the opposition to open a humanitarian channel. Guaido urged his supporters to join in a march in early February to call for aid.