Japan extends support to Juan Guaido

Japan has joined a growing list of countries who have extended support to Venezuela's National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself to be the President of the Latin American nation in January.

Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono made the announcement on Tuesday and said that the decision was made after many in the international community raised concerns about the legitimacy of Venezuela's Presidential election last year.

Tokyo had repeatedly asked the Venezuelan government, headed by embattled President Nicolas Maduro, to carry out elections but to no avail, reports NHK World.

The United States was first to extend support to Guaido and later also called on the international community to side with Guaido against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. Moreover, Washington has also sent humanitarian aid to Venezuela, which is currently being blocked by the Maduro-led government.

European countries like Spain, UK, the Netherlands had earlier issued an ultimatum to Maduro to carry out fresh elections, failing which they would recognise Guaido as the interim President. The countries supported Guaido after Maduro held on to his post, refusing to hold new elections in the Latin American nation.

Guaido has called for the Venezuelan military to support him amidst the turmoil, leading to a handful of defections from the army that has shown its outright support to Maduro.

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