STATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VENEZUELA: “President Donald Trump on Tuesday [1-29-19] congratulated Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, the man the U.S. and other Western nations have recognized as that country’s legitimate leader, for ‘his historic assumption of the presidency’ amid ongoing civil unrest opposing the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro…The Trump administration last week recognized Guaidó as the country’s interim president, labeling Maduro a dictator and accusing him of assuming power through rigged elections. On Monday, the Trump administration announced sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned petroleum company, an effort to pressure Maduro into stepping aside amid his nation’s ongoing economic collapse. Monday’s [1-28-19] sanctions announcement was followed Tuesday by a Level 4, ‘do not travel’ advisory issued by the State Department regarding Venezuela. In its warning, the department cited crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and upcoming political rallies and demonstrations that could turn violent.”
–Rebecca Morin, “Trump congratulates Venezuelan opposition leader in call,” Politico, January 30, 2019 9:21 pm