U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim
president by phone on Wednesday, reiterating support for his "fight to
regain democracy," as Washington's push to force socialist President
Nicolas Maduro from power picked up steam.
The White House said Trump and Juan Guaido, the opposition leader trying
to replace Maduro, agreed to maintain regular communication after
Venezuelan authorities opened an investigation that could lead to
Guaido's arrest.
The moves against Guaido, 35, including a travel ban and assets freeze,
were in retaliation for oil sanctions imposed by the United States this
week. They intensified the fight to control Venezuela, an OPEC nation
that has the world's largest oil reserves.
The U.S. president spoke to Guaido to "congratulate him on his historic
assumption of the presidency and to reinforce President Trump’s strong
support for Venezuela’s fight to regain its democracy," White House
spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
Guaido thanked Trump for the U.S. commitment to freedom and prosperity
in Venezuela and the region and noted the importance of planned protests
across the country against Maduro on Wednesday and Saturday, she said
in a statement.
Note EU-Digest: Let us hope Trump treats Guaido better than he treated the Kurds in Syria, who have been fighting there on behalf of the US. against ISIS. Mr. Trump does not have the reputation as someone who keeps his word or who tells the truth.
Read more: Trump phones Venezuela's Guaido as U.S. pushes for Maduro to go