Juan Guaido at an opposition protest in Venezuela. Photo: EPA

Shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the rightful President of the country, instead of incumbent Nicolas Maduro, Albania and Kosovo joined a host of other countries around the world in recognising his claim.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said that Albania recognised the act. “On behalf of the people of #Albania I wish Juan Guaido and the brave Venezuelans success in getting rid of the illegitimate power that has turned their country into a hell for its own people,” he wrote on Twitter.

#Albania recognizes Juan Guaidó as the Interim President of Venezuela. On behalf of the people of #Albania I wish to @JGuaido and the brave venezuelans to succeed in getting rid of the illegitimate power that has turned their country in a hell for its own people #VenezuelaLibre — Edi Rama (@ediramaal) January 24, 2019

Guaido has declared himself president with the strong support of the United States, Canada, Brazil and most other countries in Latin America, with the exception of Mexico, Cuba and some other left-wing states supporting Maduro’s Socialist regime.

Kosovo followed promptly in the wake of its key US ally, despite Venezuela not having recognised Kosovo’s independence.

Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Behgjet Pacolli wrote on Thursday: “On behalf of the people and government of Kosovo to Juan Guaido and the people of Venezuela: we wish you all the best in your path to restore democracy and we stand with you until #Libertad is restored.”

#Kosovo officially recognizes Juan Guaidó as the Interim President of Venezuela. On behalf of the people & gov of #Kosovo to @JGuaido & the people of Venezuela: we wish you all the best in your path to restore democracy and we stand with you until #Libertad is restored. — Behgjet Pacolli ???????? (@pacollibehgjet) January 23, 2019

The UK Guardian has reported that the US President Donald Trump has warned that “all options are on the table” if Maduro, who has held power since 2013, responds with fresh force to the opposition. At least 13 people have died in Caracas in protests in recent days.

US vice-president Mike Pence stated that the US would use “the full weight of our diplomatic and economic pressure” against the Maduro regime.

US officials said Washington would look at ways to transfer Venezuela’s assets and oil revenues to Guaido and to the opposition-run national assembly, the Guardian reported.

Maduro has presided over growing economic chaos in once wealthy Venezuela. The flow of economic refugees out of the country, fleeing chronic food shortages and power outages, and now numbering over 3 million people, has panicked neighbouring countries. Inflation is running at several million per cent.

EU Council President Donald Tusk lent support to the US decision, saying that “unlike Maduro” Guaido’s National Assembly has “a democratic mandate from Venezuelan citizens.”

But Russia, Iran, Syria and China have thrown their weight behind Maduro, with the Kremlin accusing the US or orchestrating an attempted coup.

China and Russia have lent Venezuela huge sums, which might be at risk if the regime in Caracas changed hands.

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