Juan Guaidó visit to the UK

President Juan Guaidó’s visit to the UK marks the first anniversary since the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela first elected him acting President of Venezuela; and he has subsequently faced-down the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro in what has become a national stand-off played out on the international stage. 

On 5th January this year Juan Guaidó was unanimously re-elected President of Venezuela’s National Assembly by all 100 deputies present which also makes him interim President of the Republic of Venezuela according to our 1999 constitution.

Nearly 60 countries now recognise the interim government, whilst those supporting the reelection of Guaidó to the National Assembly and by default the interim Presidency include: the Organisation of American States, the Lima Group, the United States, the European Union, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama and even the radical left-wing government of Argentina. 

During his visit here the President met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said to the President: "we receive you as the President of the Republic, and we will continue to support you as such." The Prime Minister affirmed that he will help us confront Iranian and Russian support for the dictator Maduro by pushing for stronger international support for President Guaidó, while punishing those who interfere with his mandate. 

Boris Johnson reminded us that it was he, as Mayor of London, who ended the "Chavista subsidies" for holidays of London radical left politicians and who ended the purchase of cheap diesel from the country.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was unwavering in his support, stating emphatically: "we support Venezuela's fight for democracy not because of self-interest, but because we like what the interim government stands for - namely, democracy and human rights. We support you because of our shared values; they are values that we will defend." 

In the evening the President met with the Venezuelan diaspora in London keen to show their support for his ongoing service and courage under literal fire. He entered to gleeful chants of "¡Viva el Presidente!" and, as he stepped onto the inside balcony, the group broke into the national anthem. 

In anticipation of an imminent transition to democracy and the consequent lifting of sanctions, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office recently established a Venezuela Reconstruction Unit to make concrete plans for the transition, stabilisation, and reconstruction of Venezuela, from political and legal institutions to physical infrastructure. In order to facilitate its endeavors and maximize its impact, I have supported the founding of the Venezuela Development Forum: www.venezueladevelopmentforum.com, a membership organisation open to international business. Its goal is to help businesses understand the emergent opportunities available in Venezuela whilst serving the Venezuelan diaspora, providing them with the information necessary to take advantage of the opportunities that emerge as a consequence of greater support for President Guaidó. 

The Venezuela Development Forum designs and implements global best practices on socially inclusive economic development. We run regular events around specific topics of relevance to our members and also present tailored information on business opportunities within an understanding of the transitioning economic and political situation. 

There has already been a slow transition under way: every week, more countries support Guaidó, and plan for the change. The provision of food, medicine, and some services are increasingly eating away at the dictatorship's hold. Because of this and because of the work I know the interim government is doing, I am very optimistic that one day very soon, I will return to a free and prosperous country. 

Ambassador Vanessa Neumann, Official Representative to the UK and Ireland of the Interim President of the Republic of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó.