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Agence France-Presse

Venezuela’s opposition has cried victory after a London judge ruled that the British government had “unequivocally recognised” opposition leader Juan Guaido as the troubled Latin American country’s president.
The ruling came in a dispute over US$1 billion in gold reserves that Venezuela’s central bank wants released from the Bank of England to help fund the country’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
Venezuela arrests US ‘mercenaries’ after failed beach raid
The Bank of England said it was unable to act on the instructions because it was “caught in the middle” of competing claims for the presidency after disputed elections in 2018.
The Venezuelan central bank’s board was appointed by the government of President Nicolas Maduro, successor to the late anti-US populist Hugo Chavez.

A rival ad hoc board appointed by Western-backed Guaido had asked for the release to be denied.
Commercial Court judge Nigel Teare was asked to decide who had the authority to make the demand – Guaido or Maduro.
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Teare’s judgment said: “Her Majesty’s Government does recognise Mr Guaido in the capacity of constitutional interim president of Venezuela and, it must follow, does not recognise Mr Maduro as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela.”
The judge added that it was impossible to recognise both men as president.

Maduro’s government described the move as “absurd and extraordinary” as he called for a probe into the matter.
Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez said Maduro had “asked the Venezuelan courts to immediately open an investigation with the aim of determining the criminal responsibility of those participating in this blatant piracy of Venezuelan gold.”
A lawyer for the Maduro-appointed central bank board said his clients would file an appeal.
But Guaido’s London envoy hailed the ruling as “a victory for the Venezuelan people”.
Our intention now, as always, is to safeguard the gold
Vanessa Neumann, opposition envoy
“Our intention now, as always, is to safeguard the gold of the national reserve for the Venezuelan people,” opposition envoy Vanessa Neumann said.
“We want to make clear that we never sought the gold.”
Guaido added on Twitter: “We’ve protected the gold reserves from the clutches of the dictatorship.”
The rival claims come two years after election results handing Maduro a controversial victory, sparking mass protests and a violent police crackdown.
Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fled to neighbouring countries in search of food and safety as the poverty-stricken country plunged into chaos.
Maduro’s claim on the presidency is mainly supported by Russia and Cuba.
Guiado’s January 2019 claim to the presidency had been backed by the United States and around 60 other countries.
But the opposition movement has been plagued by internal conflicts, and Maduro’s grip on power has held.

The leftist leader said last month that he was “prepared to speak respectfully with President Trump” and the White House chief said he “would maybe think about” meeting Maduro.
Maduro started off working as a bus driver before becoming a trade union leader and then getting elected to the country’s legislature in 2000.
He succeeded Chavez after his death in 2013 but pursued many of the same policies with the same iron grip on power.
The once prosperous country – home to the world’s largest untapped oil reserves – has continued its decline into poverty throughout his rule.
This outcome will now delay matters further, to the detriment of the Venezuelan people
Sarosh Zaiwalla, Maduro appointee
The Maduro-appointed central bank board lawyer Sarosh Zaiwalla said Thursday’s judgment “entirely ignores the reality of the situation on the ground.”
“Mr Maduro’s government is in complete control of Venezuela and its administrative institutions, and only it can ensure the distribution of the humanitarian relief and medical supplies needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
“This outcome will now delay matters further, to the detriment of the Venezuelan people, whose lives are at risk.”


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Venezuela

UK court sides with Venezuela opposition leader in US$1 billion gold bullion dispute

The Bank of England has refused to release US$1 billion in gold reserves to Venezuela’s central bank. Photo: AFP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 11, 2020, a general view of the Bank of England is pictured in the City of London.. - A judge in London said Thursday the British government had "unequivocally recognised" opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president, in a battle over gold bullion held at the Bank of England. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2020 file photo, opposition leader Juan Guaido meets with union workers and supporters in Caracas, Venezuela. The political battle over control of Venezuela has turned to a $1 .8 billion stack of gold bars sitting in the Bank of England's vault in London, where a judge is expected to decide soon on who has the rightful claim to the bullion. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he needs the gold to help his cash-starved nation fight the coronavirus pandemic. But the central bank for the United Kingdom, whose government recognizes Guaidó as his country's legitimate leader, has refused to hand it over to Maduro's socialist administration. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela. The political battle over control of Venezuela has turned to a $1 .8 billion stack of gold bars sitting in the Bank of England's vault in London, where a judge is expected to decide soon on who has the rightful claim to the bullion. Maduro says he needs the gold to help his cash-starved nation fight the coronavirus pandemic. But the central bank for the United Kingdom, whose government recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as his country's legitimate leader, has refused to hand it over to Maduro's socialist administration. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

In Venezuela shift, US asks both Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido to step aside

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas on March 12. Photo: Reuters

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 10, 2020 Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido gestures during a rally at Las Mercedes district, in eastern Caracas. - Venezuela prosecutor's office subpoenaed Guiado for 'attempted coup', authorities announced on March 31, 2020. (Photo by CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ / AFP)

Venezuela arrests US ‘mercenaries’ after failed beach raid

Venezuelan soldiers in balaclavas move a suspect from a helicopter after what Venezuelan authorities described as a ‘mercenary incursion’ Photo: Venezuelan government handout via Reuters

Venezuelan soldiers wearing face masks surround a suspect moved from a helicopter after what Venezuelan authorities described was a "mercenary incursion", at an unknown location in this still frame obtained from Venezuelan government TV video, May 4, 2020. VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV/Handout via REUTERS TV NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR REUTERS CUSTOMERS ONLY.

epa08401735 A handout photo made available by Miraflores Presidential Palace shows ID cards and equipment of people linked to an operation denounced by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, during a meeting with members of the Armed Forces in Caracas, Venezuela, 04 May 2020. Venezuelan authorities claimed on Monday that a 'foiled sea invasion' at the weekend was part of a plan to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. Ten people have been arrested and eight were killed, all linked to the operation, according to the government. In his first public appearance after the incident, Maduro claimed that the objective of the mission 'was to kill the President of Venezuela... to try to kill me.' EPA-EFE/MIRAFLORES PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Venezuelan soldiers in balaclavas move a suspect from a helicopter after what Venezuelan authorities described was a "mercenary incursion", at an unknown location in this still frame obtained from Venezuelan government TV video, May 4, 2020. VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV/Handout via REUTERS TV NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR REUTERS CUSTOMERS ONLY.

epa08401733 A handout photo made available by Miraflores Presidential Palace shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a meeting with members of the Armed Forces in Caracas, Venezuela, 04 May 2020. Venezuelan authorities claimed on Monday that a 'foiled sea invasion' at the weekend was part of a plan to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. Ten people have been arrested and eight were killed, all linked to the operation, according to the government. In his first public appearance after the incident, Maduro claimed that the objective of the mission 'was to kill the President of Venezuela... to try to kill me.' EPA-EFE/MIRAFLORES PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Coronavirus, sex and drugs: how privileged kids of Venezuela’s elite still party in the pandemic

In a nation plagued by misery, Venezuela’s Los Roques is an oasis for the few who can afford it. Photo: Shutterstock

Pedestrians wearing protective gear walk past a mural featuring the late President Hugo Chavez, amid a nationwide quarantine to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this March 31, 2020, photo, Venezuelan police officers present a suspect arrested at a multiday party in Caracas, Venezuela, that violated Nicolas Maduro’s order on large gatherings. Photo: AP

US indicts Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro for ‘narco-terrorism’, offers US$15 million reward

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference with international media in February. Photo: Marcelo Garcia/Prensa Miraflores/dpa

TOPSHOT - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido addresses supporters during a street meeting within a demonstration heading to the National Assembly, in Las Mercedes, east Caracas on March 10, 2020. (Photo by Federico Parra / AFP)

US calls for immediate release of Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido’s uncle

Juan Guaido speaks during a session of the National Assembly at Bolivar Square in Caracas. Photo: Bloomberg

Attendees raise their hands during a vote at a session of the National Assembly at Bolivar Square in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Guaido said that they still have no information about his uncle Juan Jose Marquez, who was reported missing following the leader's arrival at the Caracas airport on Tuesday. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg

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The ruling came after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s central bank requested US$1 billion in bullion be released from the Bank of England
Competing claims for the presidency following 2018’s disputed elections meant the bank was ‘caught in the middle’ and unable to act, it said



The ruling came after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s central bank asked for US$1 billion in gold bullion to be released from the Bank of England.


UK court sides with Venezuela opposition leader in US$1 billion gold bullion dispute

The ruling came after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s central bank requested US$1 billion in bullion be released from the Bank of England Competing claims for the presidency following 2018’s disputed elections meant the bank was ‘caught in the middle’ and unable to act, it said

The ruling came after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s central bank requested US$1 billion in bullion be released from the Bank of England

Competing claims for the presidency following 2018’s disputed elections meant the bank was ‘caught in the middle’ and unable to act, it said