Venezuela’s Juan Guaidó Seeks Support In Washington

Venezuelan’s former opposition leader Juan Guaidó is visiting Washington this week, where he hopes to meet with the Biden administration. He told reporters on Tuesday during a surprise appearance at the Washington Americas.

Asked if he sought political asylum in the US, he said, “I am currently visiting. My intention, like that of millions of refugees, is to return to Venezuela.”

Guaidó served as the interim president of Venezuela’s transitional government from 2019 until late 2022 – when he was ‘ousted from his leadership role’ after struggling to make significant gain against the authoritarian regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

He caused a stir last week when he showed up in Colombia for a summit organized by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Bogotá, which aimed to restart talks with the Venezuelan government and the opposition.

Guaidó said at the timet that Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva had invited him to attend the summit – which Leyva denied, saying instead that the opposition figure had entered Colombia inappropriately.

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Guaidó landed in Miami the following day, after accusing Colombia of forcing him out of the country – a claim Colombian officials refuted.

Guaidó said Tuesday that he will have private meetings with US lawmakers on Wednesday.

CNN/Shakirat Sadiq
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