Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó defies travel ban for meeting in Colombia – BBC News

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Mr Maduro and Mr Guaidó have actually been at loggerheads for more than a year, after Mr Guaidó – head of the National Assembly – declared himself interim president, declaring Mr Maduro’s re-election in 2018 was fraudulent.

Regardless of international pressure and United States sanctions on the vital oil sector, Mr Maduro has actually handled to stay in power supported by Russia, Cuba and a handful of other nations along with the powerful Venezuelan armed force.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption See as Juan Guaidó forces his method into Venezuela’s parliament and is sworn in by torchlight

In Mr Maduro’s Washington Post interview, he stated his challengers ignored him and that he “didn’t care” about the US sanctions. But he recommended that US oil business could benefit immensely from Venezuela’s oil if President Donald Trump were to lift sanctions.

The power struggle in Venezuela has actually aggravated the nation’s economic crisis, with a quarter of its 30 million population in requirement of help, according to the UN. More than four million Venezuelans have actually left the country over the past few years.

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Media playback is unsupported on your gadget Media caption The four countries thinking about the governmental fight On Twitter, Mr Guaidó confirmed he had actually gotten here in Colombia, where he would hold talks with President Iván Duque. Nevertheless he did not openly confirm a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which has

been extensively reported by US media. The conference will be attended by foreign ministers of a number of Latin American nations. The majority of them back Mr Guaidó.

It was not clear how Mr Guaidó travelled. He has not left Venezuela considering that last February, when he also travelled to Colombia to organise a US-backed effort to carry help cargos back into the country. The strategy was blocked by troops faithful to President Maduro.

Previously this month, the National Guard prevented Mr Guaidó from entering the National Assembly and standing for re-election as Speaker. He then moved the session to another location where about 100 lawmakers re-elected him for the role.

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>< img class=" js-image-replace" alt=" Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó addresses opposition lawmakers in Caracas on 15 January"

src=” https://ift.tt/2NFNCFa; width=” 976″ height=” 549 “> Image copyright Getty Images Image caption It is the 2nd time Mr Guaidó has defied a court-imposed travel ban Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó has actually taken a trip to Colombia for a counter-terrorism conference, the 2nd time he defies a travel ban imposed by the pro-government Supreme Court.

He is expected to fulfill the United States secretary of state in Bogotá on Monday. The US and more than 50 nations acknowledge Mr Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader.

President Nicolás Maduro accuses the US of managing a coup to oust him.

In an interview he appeared to open the door for direct talks with the US.

Talking to the Washington Post, Mr Maduro stated: “If there’s regard between governments, no matter how huge the US is, and if there’s a discussion, an exchange of sincere information, then make sure we can create a new kind of relationship.”

He is expected to fulfill the US secretary of state in Bogotá on Monday. On Twitter, Mr Guaidó validated he had gotten here in Colombia, where he would hold talks with President Iván Duque. It was not clear how Mr Guaidó took a trip. Previously this month, the National Guard prevented Mr Guaidó from going into the National Assembly and standing for re-election as Speaker. In Mr Maduro’s Washington Post interview, he stated his challengers underestimated him and that he “didn’t care” about the United States sanctions.

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