The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WHAT UNREST IN VENEZUELA MEANS FOR UNITED STATES
In the most direct challenge yet to President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, opposition leader Juan Guaidó swore himself in as interim president Wednesday as tens of thousands gathered in anti-government protests nationwide. President Donald Trump quickly r
Why it matters
The opposition has largely united behind Guaidó. He called for Wednesday’s protests, has offered to lead a transitional government and to hold new elections if leftist Maduro steps down.
Maduro was sworn in for a second term Jan. 10. The U.S. and many of Venezuela’s neighbors have called the president and successor to Hugo Chavez an illegitimate dictator and signaled strong support for a plan to establish a transitional government.
Maduro has accused opposition leaders of trying to sell out Venezuela to the United States.
Economic crisis
Discontent has deepened across Venezuela’s socioeconomic classes as hyperinflation has rendered wages virtually worthless. Citizens of what was once one of the region’s wealthiest nations have starved to death and died from preventable diseases.
More than 3 million Venezuelans have left the country in recent years, and those who stayed behind have struggled to find food and medicine while contending with water shortages and rampant crime.
What’s next
The Trump administration has prepared to sanc- tion crude oil exports from Venezuela, according to people familiar with the matter, but hasn’t decided whether to take that step. Maduro’s reaction to Guaidó’s move will help dictate whether the administration enacts the sanctions, the people said.
Oil companies warn the action could disadvantage Gulf and East Coast refiners designed to handle the country’s heavy crude and cause gasoline prices to spike.