Two presidents for a seat, security forces blocking access to Parliament, a power cut … In Venezuela, Juan Guaido was sworn in as President of Parliament on Tuesday January 7, fortified by his re-election by the opposition on Sunday . Shortly before, the Bolivarian National Guard had barred him before the Parliament, while an elected opposition rival who also claimed the chair of the President of the Assembly, Luis Parra, had chaired the weekly session before Juan Guaido and his supporters enter the hemicycle.
“We are there!” “ exclaimed Juan Guaido after reaching the perch. He and his supporters then sang the Venezuelan national anthem, Gloria al bravo pueblo (“Glory to the brave people”). With his right hand raised, Juan Guaido was then sworn in as President of the National Assembly. Some 50 countries, including the United States, have recognized him as interim president for almost a year. His rival Luis Parra was sworn in on Sunday after declaring himself president of the parliament with the support of the Chavist government.
But as Juan Guaido went up to the rostrum on Tuesday, a power cut occurred and the MPs took out their cell phones to get a bit of light. Power cuts (apagones) are common in Venezuela. In the unicameral Parliament, where the opposition to the socialist president Nicolas Maduro holds the majority, they arise opportunely during the sittings.
Opposition denounces “parliamentary coup”
The duel for the perch of the National Assembly goes back to sunday. Police and soldiers had already physically prevented Juan Guaido from joining Parliament where he expected to be re-elected president of the hemicycle. He then tried, unsuccessfully, to climb the gates of the building. Meanwhile, in the hemicycle, Luis Parra declared himself the new president of the National Assembly by a show of hands and with the support of elected officials loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. He claimed 81 votes out of 150 deputies present. The support of Nicolas Maduro made Juan Guaido say that his rival was “Accomplice of the dictatorship”.
The opposition raised a “Parliamentary coup” and the Secretary-General of the United Nations (Antonio), Antonio Guterres, expressed his “Concern”. At the end of this hectic session, Juan Guaido organized a parallel session at the headquarters of an opposition newspaper where he was re-elected President of Parliament by one hundred deputies. His American, Brazilian and Colombian allies congratulated him on his re-election.
In the process, he summoned his peers for Tuesday’s session – as did Luis Parra, who also intended to chair this session. Mr. Guaido believes that Nicolas Maduro “Usurps” the presidential office since the election “Fraudulent” of May 2018 which allowed him to stay in power. It makes the political heir of Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) responsible for the worst social and economic crisis in the history of Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world. But in a year the opponent failed to oust the socialist president who continues to enjoy the support of the army and its Cuban, Chinese and Russian allies.
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