Nicolas Maduro invested for a third term in Venezuela, the opposition denounces “a coup d’état” and several Western countries impose sanctions

The United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom have sanctioned people close to the Venezuelan president, re-elected despite numerous accusations of electoral fraud.

Outgoing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in on Friday, January 10, for a third six-year term, during a ceremony described as “coup d’état” by the opposition. Several Western countries have once again denounced a regime “illegitimate” and took sanctions against individuals close to the regime.

“I swear that this new presidential mandate will be one of peace, prosperity, equality and the new democracy. I swear it by history, I swear it on my life”launched Nicolas Maduro in front of the President of the Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, who then declared: “You are sworn in as constitutional president.”

“A coup d’état has been carried out”immediately reacted in a statement the main opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitaria, which demands the investment of its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. The coalition evokes “the usurpation of power by Nicolas Maduro (…) supported by brute force and ignoring the popular sovereignty forcefully expressed on July 28”. The inauguration ceremony comes the day after opposition demonstrations, which accuse Nicolas Maduro of electoral fraud during the vote, followed by deadly unrest and thousands of arrests.

The United States denounced “mock” investiture. “Maduro has demonstrated, once again, his total disregard for democratic norms and is carrying out an illegitimate inauguration”said a senior American official. He also announced new sanctions against eight senior Venezuelan economic officials, and increased the reward to $25 million for information leading to bringing Nicolas Maduro to justice.

The European Union also denounced in a press release a leader without “no democratic legitimacy”and announced sanctions against 15 people “guilty of undermining democracy, the rule of law or human rights” in the country. “The European Union stands alongside those who defend democratic values ​​in Venezuela”said the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, on social networks. The United Kingdom did the same by freezing the assets of 15 individuals linked to the Nicolas Maduro regime, “while denouncing his illegitimate claim to the presidency”writes the British Foreign Office in a press release.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Lula called on Friday Nicolas Maduro to “resume dialogue with the opposition”. “France and Brazil are prepared to facilitate this resumption of trade, which should allow the return of democracy and stability to Venezuela”added the Elysée on Friday evening, reporting a telephone interview between Lula and Emmanuel Macron. “All people detained because of their political opinions or commitments must be immediately released”underlined the two leaders.