Venezuela crisis: Maduro cuts ties with US after it recognises opposition leader

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has broken off relations with the US after it recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim leader.

Mr Maduro gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave the country but the US said the “former president” no longer had the authority to order them out.

On Wednesday, Mr Guaidó had declared himself president during mass protests.

The US has urged the military to back Mr Guaidó, but so far it has remained loyal to Mr Maduro.

Mr Maduro took office in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez. He was sworn in for a second term this month after elections last May that were marred by an opposition boycott and widespread claims of vote-rigging.

Venezuela has been in economic freefall. Hyperinflation, power cuts and shortages of basic items have driven millions of people from the country.

What happened at the Caracas protest?

Thousands of Venezuelans attended a rally on Wednesday in support of Mr Guaidó, who is the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

He told the cheering crowd that protests would continue “until Venezuela is liberated”.

Mr Guaidó then raised his right hand and said: “I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president,” vowing to lead a transitional government and hold free elections.

Mr Guaidó is citing articles 233 and 333 of the constitution which allow the head of the National Assembly to become interim president in the absence of the president. Mr Guaidó argues that Mr Maduro is not president because last May’s elections are invalid.

Mr Guaidó has called on the armed forces to disobey the government.

Venezuelan NGOs said that 14 people were shot dead during protests on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Source: BBC