Venezuelan opposition leader Guaido returns to country

By Lokman Ilhan

BOGOTA (AA) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has returned to his country after a three-week international tour.

Although the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) had banned Guaido from traveling abroad, the Venezuelan opposition leader left his country on Jan. 19 to seek international support.

During his tour, Guaido held meetings in the U.S., Canada, Colombia, and several European nations asking them to impose sanctions on Venezuela.

Moreover, he was received by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House and he also attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On Tuesday, upon his return, Guaido was received by his supporters inside the airport.

However, a large number of people protested outside the airport and shouted "dirty traitor" and "get out".

In a Twitter message, Guaido said: "I'm bringing with me the commitment of the free world willing to help us recover democracy and freedom."

Since the beginning of 2019, Venezuela has been embroiled in unrest as President Nicolas Maduro and Guaido have vied for political power, while the country's economy has been in free fall.

Guaido declared himself interim president early last year and is recognized as the country’s legitimate leader by the U.S., most Latin American countries and the European Union.

But Venezuelan state institutions, the military, and many countries including Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey have put their weight behind President Nicolas Maduro, who was re-elected in 2018.

Guaido has been engaged in a year-long power battle with Maduro.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut