Venezuela loses patience waiting for Guaidó
Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan opposition leader recognised by many countries, including Britain, as the rightful president, greets supporters in July LEO ALVAREZ/REUTERS
His staff call him Presidente and almost 60 countries recognise him as Venezuela’s rightful leader but Juan Guaidó has so far failed to dislodge Nicolás Maduro and the people are starting to notice. Stephen Gibbs reports from Caracas
The Times, September 19 2019, 5:00pm
From their respective headquarters five miles apart, two men in Venezuela continue to claim the title of president.
President Maduro, like most of his predecessors, rules from the 19th-century Miraflores Palace in Caracas.
His rival, recognised as rightful leader by about 60 countries, including Britain, works from a third-floor office in the business district. Juan Guaidó’s staff all call him “Presidente”. In the bland conference room where the 36-year-old leader meets visitors, a small photograph of the palace interior is carefully placed behind him, as if to pretend that is where he is, or should be.
