A Bold, Risky Stroke for Democracy in Venezuela

The decision by Juan Guaido, the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, to declare himself interim president until new elections can be held has left his country teetering between an outbreak of civil war and the restoration of democracy. Achieving the latter will require cool heads in Venezuela, and calm and resolute diplomacy by its democratic friends and neighbors.

Guaido says Venezuela’s constitution supports the move. The assembly had earlier declared Maduro’s presidency illegitimate, arguing that last May’s election was rigged. At least 60 countries rejected the results, and next to no European or Latin American countries sent representatives to his inauguration earlier this month. Meanwhile, demonstrations called by the opposition have brought tens of thousands of angry Venezuelans into the streets. Guaido has been recognized by most countries in Latin America as well as Canada and the United States.