Belize silent on Venezuela divide

By BBN Staff: Venezuela, the country known for being one of the world’s largest exporter of oil and the infamous Petrocaribe Oil Alliance is currently suffering a political and economic crisis.

On May 20,2018, the country held national elections and though several organizations dubbed the elections as a fraud, incumbent socialist leader Nicolas Maduro was again sworn into office on January 10, 2019.

Since the re-election, Maduro has faced more criticism from Venezuelans who are suffering from the country’s economic turmoil.

On January 10, 2019, the Organization of American States (OAS) voted not to recognized the legitimacy of Maduro’s new presidential term in a resolution presented by some member countries. Belize abstained from the vote.

On Wednesday, Opposition leader, Juan Guaido was officially recognized by the United States of America (USA) and other Latin American countries as the Interim President of Venezuela.

Guaido declared himself the acting President during a massive rally against Maduro held in Caracas, Venezuela.

Russia, China and Turkey  have publicly announced their support for the Maduro regime and condemn the US intervention in Venezuelan affairs. High ranking military officials of Venezuela also announced their support for Maduro as the President of Venezuela.

While the US, Canada, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Paraguay and Colombia pledged their support to Guaido. Mexico, however, said that Venezuela need to enact democratic reforms and asserted that it would not take sides.

Maduro has referred to the recognition of Guaido as an orchestrated coup by Washington and US President Donald Trump. He has also given US diplomats in the country, 72 hours to leave Venezuela and recalled all Venezuelans at Embassies and consulates in the US.

After his announcement, Washington refused to comply with Maduro’s order but ordered its nonessential staff to leave the tumultuous country, citing security concerns.

The Trump Administration said Maduro’s order isn’t legal because the U.S. no longer recognizes him as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.