Venezuela's opposition leader declares himself president and Washington recognizes it

The United States, Canada and the Organization of American States (OAS) today recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido, who declared himself the "interim president" of the country following mass demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.

Juan Javaido, president of the opposition-dominated National Assembly (parliament), announced on Monday the inauguration of the country's interim president.

Addressing thousands of supporters, he said, "Today, on January 23, the section will officially hand over the powers of the national executive authority as President of Venezuela to end the rape of power."

The crowd chanted the national anthem amid sharp applause.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court, the country's highest judicial authority and composed of judges considered supporters of the regime, has ordered a criminal investigation against the deputies, accusing them of "confiscating" the powers of President Maduro.

US President Donald Trump acknowledged opposition leader Juan Guido as the country's legitimate president and wrote a tweet on Twitter. "Today I officially recognize Venezuelan President Juan Guido as interim president of the country," President Donald Trump said, referring to the National Assembly as the only legitimate branch of government.

Trump also called on other Western governments to recognize the Guido Declaration, pledging to continue pressure on the Caracas government.

On the other hand, Luis Almagro congratulated the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, Washington-based Juan Guido.

"Our congratulations to Acting President Juan Guido of Venezuela, we give him our full recognition of the restoration of democracy to this country," Almagro said.

The latest developments follow a massive march in the streets of the capital Caracas demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro and the assumption of power by the opposition National Assembly.

Nicolas Maduro was elected president of Venezuela in succession to President Hugo Chavez on April 15, 2013, when the National Electoral Council declared victory in the presidential election by a narrow margin over rival opposition candidate Enrique Caprilis.

Maduro won a new presidential term in the May 20, 2018 presidential election, which saw a wide boycott of opposition supporters.