On Wednesday Juan Guadió in Venezuela surprisingly declared himself interim president of the country and openly challenged head of state Nicolás Maduro. Only a short time later, US President Donald Trump declared that he recognized Guadió as the legitimate president. The quick reaction surprised - but could have a special history.
The Wall Street Journal reports a call from US Vice President Mike Pence to Guadió. In it, the Republican thus secured the evening before the revolt support, if Guadió let it arrive at a power struggle with Maduro. That's how it happened.
In the background, according to the newspaper, there have been long talks and plans for this case, including between US officials and opposition politicians from Venezuela, including Juan Guadió. There is no further confirmation for the information of the newspaper.
Maduro refuses to give up his post, receiving support from his own military and countries such as Turkey and Russia.
26 dead since the beginning of the week
Voluntad Popular (Volkswille), a 35-year-old politician on the right-wing opposition party, said on Wednesday that he would temporarily replace the presidency "to stop the misappropriation of power, establish a transitional government and hold free elections."
The United States, Canada and several Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia then recognized Guaidó as interim president.
The situation in Venezuela has been steadily worsening since Monday's failed National Guard uprising. In protests against Maduro and riots, 26 people have been killed since the beginning of the week, according to the non-governmental organization Social Conflict Observatory.
An analysis of US influence in the conflict can be read here.