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Australia Recognizes Guaido as Venezuelan Interim President

Sputnik News

03:19 28.01.2019

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Australia recognizes the head of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the country's interim president until elections are held in the country, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday.

"Australia recognises and supports the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, in assuming the position of interim president, in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution and until elections are held. Australia calls for a transition to democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible," the statement read.

On Wednesday, Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president in a move that had been recognized by the United States, Canada and a number of other countries.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of orchestrating a coup in the Latin American country and said that Caracas was severing diplomatic ties with Washington, asking US diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours.

However, a representative of the US State Department has told Sputnik that Washington had no plans to close its embassy in Venezuela and would continue evaluating the situation "on the ground."

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