Trump Mulls Recognizing Venezuelan Opposition Leader as Legitimate President - Reports
US President Donald Trump is considering naming the opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela, media reported on Tuesday
Trump is considering recognizing Guaido, the Venezuelan National Assembly president, as the legitimate head of state in Venezuela, CNN reported citing three sources familiar with the matter.
The report noted that National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis declined to confirm Trump is considering this decision.
The report also said the Trump administration is considering additional sanctions against Venezuela, including an embargo of Venezuelan oil.
On Sunday, Venezuelan authorities seized Guaido just days after he said that he was prepared to take over as the nation's interim president. Guaido was briefly detained near Caracas on his way to attending a political rally, but was released in less than an hour.
The National Assembly has not recognized the results of Venezuela's May election that enabled President Nicolas Maduro to serve a second term.
Maduro was sworn in on Thursday amid protests by the United States and its allies who have called on the Venezuelan president to reestablish democratic rule in the country.