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News / Photos / News / Photos: Venezuela divided after Maduro rival Guaido claims presidency

Photos: Venezuela divided after Maduro rival Guaido claims presidency

Updated On Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Venezuela's powerful military threw its weight behind Nicolas Maduro on Thursday as the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido pressed a direct challenge to his authority, and the fate of the crisis-wracked country hung in the balance. The oil-rich but economically devastated country was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday when Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself "acting president" -- earning swift endorsement from Washington and a dozen regional powers including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

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Demonstrators clash with Venezuelan National Guards during a protest close to one of their outposts in Caracas, Venezuela on January 21, 2019. A group of soldiers took control of a command post north of Caracas in the early hours of the day. They published a video on social media saying they “completely repudiate” Maduro’s regime and calling on people to take to the streets in their support. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Demonstrators clash with Venezuelan National Guards during a protest close to one of their outposts in Caracas, Venezuela on January 21, 2019. A group of soldiers took control of a command post north of Caracas in the early hours of the day. They published a video on social media saying they “completely repudiate” Maduro’s regime and calling on people to take to the streets in their support. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins / REUTERS)

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A woman passes by graffiti reading “Time to Fight”. The uprising was quickly put down and twenty-seven soldiers arrested. The brief rebellion triggered demonstrations in a number of neighbourhoods in Caracas. The same day the Supreme Court, dominated by regime loyalists, declared the opposition-controlled National Assembly leadership illegitimate and its decisions invalid. (Yuri Cortez / AFP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

A woman passes by graffiti reading “Time to Fight”. The uprising was quickly put down and twenty-seven soldiers arrested. The brief rebellion triggered demonstrations in a number of neighbourhoods in Caracas. The same day the Supreme Court, dominated by regime loyalists, declared the opposition-controlled National Assembly leadership illegitimate and its decisions invalid. (Yuri Cortez / AFP)

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Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Caracas and other cities in rival demonstrations for and against Maduro on January 23. The National Assembly had called an opposition rally against Maduro to mark the anniversary of the 1958 fall of the military dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez. (Adriana Loureiro / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Caracas and other cities in rival demonstrations for and against Maduro on January 23. The National Assembly had called an opposition rally against Maduro to mark the anniversary of the 1958 fall of the military dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez. (Adriana Loureiro / REUTERS)

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The head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself “acting president” later on January 23 in front of cheering supporters gathered in Caracas. “I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president of Venezuela to end the usurpation, (install) a transitional government and hold free elections,” Guaido declared. (Fernando Llano / AP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

The head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself “acting president” later on January 23 in front of cheering supporters gathered in Caracas. “I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president of Venezuela to end the usurpation, (install) a transitional government and hold free elections,” Guaido declared. (Fernando Llano / AP)

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A woman holds a sign reading “Maduro usurper” as she gathers in support of Juan Guaido outside the Embassy of Venezuela in Mexico City. US President Donald Trump immediately issued a statement recognising Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Peru and several countries in the region also gave their backing. The European Union called for free elections to restore democracy. (Edgard Garrido / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

A woman holds a sign reading “Maduro usurper” as she gathers in support of Juan Guaido outside the Embassy of Venezuela in Mexico City. US President Donald Trump immediately issued a statement recognising Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Peru and several countries in the region also gave their backing. The European Union called for free elections to restore democracy. (Edgard Garrido / REUTERS)

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Cuba, Bolivia, Mexico and Turkey said they still support Maduro, who responded saying he is cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington and gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave Venezuela. The US State Department said Maduro does not have the authority to sever relations. (Miraflores Palace / Handout via REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Cuba, Bolivia, Mexico and Turkey said they still support Maduro, who responded saying he is cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington and gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave Venezuela. The US State Department said Maduro does not have the authority to sever relations. (Miraflores Palace / Handout via REUTERS)

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Clashes erupt in the capital. The same day Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino rejected Guaido’s declaration. The armed forces “will defend our constitution and are the guarantor of national sovereignty,” he said. In two days of unrest since, 26 people have died. (Carlos Eduardo Ramirez / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Clashes erupt in the capital. The same day Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino rejected Guaido’s declaration. The armed forces “will defend our constitution and are the guarantor of national sovereignty,” he said. In two days of unrest since, 26 people have died. (Carlos Eduardo Ramirez / REUTERS)

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A protester burns a motorcycle during clashes with the security forces. Maduro’s reelection last year was contested by the opposition, and criticised internationally -- but the socialist leader has until now retained the loyalty of the powerful military, whose response was being keenly watched. (Yuri Cortez / AFP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

A protester burns a motorcycle during clashes with the security forces. Maduro’s reelection last year was contested by the opposition, and criticised internationally -- but the socialist leader has until now retained the loyalty of the powerful military, whose response was being keenly watched. (Yuri Cortez / AFP)

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An anti-government protester after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Flanked by military top brass, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, himself a general, declared the 56-year-old Maduro “the legitimate president” on Thursday -- and vowed to defend his authority against an attempted “coup d’etat”. (Fernando Llano / AP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

An anti-government protester after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Flanked by military top brass, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, himself a general, declared the 56-year-old Maduro “the legitimate president” on Thursday -- and vowed to defend his authority against an attempted “coup d’etat”. (Fernando Llano / AP)

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Demonstrators stand on a truck during a protest of opposition against President Maduro. Following Padrino’s lead, eight generals in turn reiterated their “absolute loyalty and subordination” to the socialist leader in messages carried on state television. And the Supreme Court doubled down by reaffirming its allegiance to Maduro’s “legitimate authority”. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins / REUTERS)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Demonstrators stand on a truck during a protest of opposition against President Maduro. Following Padrino’s lead, eight generals in turn reiterated their “absolute loyalty and subordination” to the socialist leader in messages carried on state television. And the Supreme Court doubled down by reaffirming its allegiance to Maduro’s “legitimate authority”. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins / REUTERS)

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Venezuelans hold a demonstration in Medellin, Colombia in support of Juan Guaido. Analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy noted that while international recognition of Guaido cemented his position as the main opposition leader, he had failed to win over senior elements of the military. In that light, “Maduro’s fall does not appear imminent,” the analysts wrote. (Joaquin Sarimento / AFP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Venezuelans hold a demonstration in Medellin, Colombia in support of Juan Guaido. Analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy noted that while international recognition of Guaido cemented his position as the main opposition leader, he had failed to win over senior elements of the military. In that light, “Maduro’s fall does not appear imminent,” the analysts wrote. (Joaquin Sarimento / AFP)

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A woman takes a picture of a burned bus after clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Outside South America, the United States has been joined by Canada and Britain in recognising Guaido as Venezuela’s interim leader, while France has also rejected Maduro’s legitimacy. But both Russia and China and have thrown their weight behind the embattled Maduro. (Luis Robayo / AFP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

A woman takes a picture of a burned bus after clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Outside South America, the United States has been joined by Canada and Britain in recognising Guaido as Venezuela’s interim leader, while France has also rejected Maduro’s legitimacy. But both Russia and China and have thrown their weight behind the embattled Maduro. (Luis Robayo / AFP)

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A resident of the San Jose del Avila’s neighborhood covers her nose from the lingering odour of tear gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Maduro to express support, charging that the “crisis has been provoked from the outside”. China, Venezuela’s main creditor, opposed “interference in Venezuelan affairs by external forces”. (Fernando Llano / AP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

A resident of the San Jose del Avila’s neighborhood covers her nose from the lingering odour of tear gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Maduro to express support, charging that the “crisis has been provoked from the outside”. China, Venezuela’s main creditor, opposed “interference in Venezuelan affairs by external forces”. (Fernando Llano / AP)

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Speaking at the World Youth Day in Panama, Pope Francis’s spokesman said he was “praying for the victims and for all the people of Venezuela”. And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, appealed for dialogue to keep the crisis from spiraling out of control. (Luis Robayo / AFP)

Updated on Jan 25, 2019 10:59 AM IST

Speaking at the World Youth Day in Panama, Pope Francis’s spokesman said he was “praying for the victims and for all the people of Venezuela”. And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, appealed for dialogue to keep the crisis from spiraling out of control. (Luis Robayo / AFP)

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