Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has declared himself the new interim-president of Venezuela, which was followed by international leaders including the US President Donald Trump recognizing him as the new leader of the country. This caused the unrecognized President Maduro to essentially cut off political ties between the two countries, ordering US diplomats to leave the Capitol City of Caracas within three days. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet today that Maduro had no legal authority to expel diplomats, and commended Guaidó for assuming the role of interim president.
Apparently this change of power is legal under the Venezuelan Constitution Article 233, which says that any president who fails to carry out his duty to the nation must be replaced as leader until a new election can be held. Mauro and his supporters disagree that this change of power is legal, and scoff at the idea of Guaidó taking over the presidency. Maduro's election win was heavily disputed and characterized as rigged and unfair as many of his strongest opponents were barred from running for office.
This doesn't mean the diplomats safety in the Capitol will continue as majority of the Venezuelan military is still fiercely supportive of the unrecognized President Maduro. Recently a coup to oust Maduro by national guardsman was stamped out by the Venezuelan military, which calls to question whether this new leadership will be able to take hold without some form of resistance.
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