First Arab Country to Recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s Interim President

By Nawal Sayed

CAIRO, Jan. 30 (SEE) –Moroccan Foreign

Ministry recognized Juan Guaido, Chairman of the National Assembly in

Venezuela, as an interim president of the state, according to an official

statement issued on Wednesday.

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president

Juan Guaido has been slapped with a travel ban and had his bank accounts

frozen.

Guaido declared himself interim president last

week amid protests against incumbent Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded his mentor

Hugo Chavez in 2013.

Maduro has faced growing criticism after securing

a second presidential term in a widely-boycotted election last year, marred by

allegations of vote-rigging.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita

contacted Guaido via a phone call on Tuesday, the statement added.

On his part, the foreign affairs advisor of the

Venezuelan assembly Manuel Avendano told Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) on Monday in

Caracas: “We want to restore our relations with the kingdom of Morocco.”

The official added that Venezuelan President

Maduro’s position on Morocco has not been beneficial for both countries. There

has been actions and rhetoric that have separated the two countries.”

Avendano said that Guaido’s government wants to

turn a new page after 20 years of “Chavism” and “Madurism” to adopt its “own

positions on diplomatic issues.”