Maduro begins new term shunned by neighbours

CaraCas:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro began a new term today that will keep him in power until 2025, with the economy in ruins and his regime more isolated than ever as neighbouring presidents shunned his inauguration after declaring his re-election illegitimate.

The 56-year-old socialist leader was sworn in by Supreme Court president Maikel Moreno as an audience of hundreds, including a handful of South American leftist leaders and Venezuela’s military top brass, cheered and applauded.

“I swear on behalf of the people of Venezuela ... I swear on my life,” Maduro said confidently as he took the oath of office and being presented with the presidential sash, an ebullient Maduro turned to salute the crowd with a V-sign.

Maduro was re-elected last May in voting boycotted by the majority of the opposition and dismissed as a fraud by the United States, European Union and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Even as he was sworn in, the United States said it would not recognise Maduro as president, and vowed to increase the pressure on a regime it brands a dictatorship.

“The US will not recognise the Maduro dictatorship’s illegitimate inauguration,” national security adviser John Bolton tweeted.

In a special session in Washington, the OAS similarly backed a resolution declaring Maduro’s government illegitimate. — AFP