Venezuela opposition dissolves Guaido's so-called 'interim government'

Vote comes in opposition-controlled National Assembly — a body created in 2015 and now largely symbolic after being replaced by the South American country's parliament.

Mostly powerless at home, international support has waned for Juan Guaido's "interim government", which controls some foreign assets and runs some embassies.
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Mostly powerless at home, international support has waned for Juan Guaido's "interim government", which controls some foreign assets and runs some embassies.

The Venezuelan opposition has voted to dissolve the so-called "interim government" led by Juan Guaido, once the popular pro-West face of the drive to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

Friday's vote came in the opposition-controlled National Assembly — a body created in 2015 and now largely symbolic as it was replaced by the South American country's parliament. 

The tally was 72 in favour of dissolving the "interim government", 29 against and eight abstentions.

Three of four major parties in the Venezuelan opposition voted to end the "interim government" led by Guaido.

"The interim government is no longer useful," these parties said in a joint statement, "and is of no interest to citizens."

Guaido pleaded in vain on Thursday for a delay.

"My proposal is that the institution be defended above individuals or personal interests and that this tool not be destroyed," Guaido said.

READ MORE: Once a pariah, Venezuela leader is now a life-saver for the West

Waning international support 

Guaido had been the face of Venezuela's fractious opposition since 2019, when he invoked the constitution to assume an "interim" presidency, garnering backing from the United States and other countries.

Now, mostly powerless at home, international support has waned for Guaido's "interim government", which controls some foreign assets and runs some embassies.

US President Joe Biden's administration rewarded leftist President Maduro's decision to return to talks with the opposition, with a slight easing of sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry.

Meanwhile, some Latin American countries — including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina — have recently elected leftist leaders.

READ MORE: US delegation arrives in Venezuela amid gas price rise

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