US Recognizes Guaidó as Venezuela 'President'

The Trump administration recognized National Assembly president Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's 'interim president' on January 23, 2019, following Guaidó's self-proclamation in a public square. The US imposed severe economic sanctions, froze Venezuelan assets, and transferred Venezuelan gold reserves and PDVSA oil assets to Guaidó's control. The coup attempt failed; Maduro retained power. Guaidó's government was recognized by 50+ countries but never controlled Venezuelan territory.