Canada endorses Venezuelan opposition leader as interim president

Canada is recognizing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president.

A government source who was not authorized to speak publicly says Canada will issue a formal statement shortly, following the lead of the United States.

The move comes as Guaido declares himself interim president, just two weeks after Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a contested second term.

Canada has accused Maduro of seizing power through fraudulent, anti-democratic elections in May of last year.

Earlier this month it rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s new presidential term, calling on him to immediately cede power to the democratically elected National Assembly until new elections are held.

Canada said the suffering of Venezuelans would only worsen should Maduro continue to cling to power.