US Envoy Slams Maduro as 'Illegitimate So-Called President' at UN Security Council
The United States has reiterated its position that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is not a legitimate head of state, calling him an "illegitimate so-called president" during a heated exchange at the UN Security Council.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, made the comments on Monday in reference to the Trump administration's long-held stance that the 2019 raid on Caracas' military base, where Maduro was placed under house arrest, was actually a law enforcement operation rather than a military coup.
However, it appears that this distinction may be lost on Maduro and his supporters. In an apparent jab at Washington's stance, Maduro had described himself as "President of the Republic" in his re-election campaign last year.
Waltz argued that such claims by the Venezuelan leader are a "mockery of democracy" and underscored that US support for opposition figures, including Juan Guaido, who was recognized as interim president, remains strong.
The United States has reiterated its position that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is not a legitimate head of state, calling him an "illegitimate so-called president" during a heated exchange at the UN Security Council.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, made the comments on Monday in reference to the Trump administration's long-held stance that the 2019 raid on Caracas' military base, where Maduro was placed under house arrest, was actually a law enforcement operation rather than a military coup.
However, it appears that this distinction may be lost on Maduro and his supporters. In an apparent jab at Washington's stance, Maduro had described himself as "President of the Republic" in his re-election campaign last year.
Waltz argued that such claims by the Venezuelan leader are a "mockery of democracy" and underscored that US support for opposition figures, including Juan Guaido, who was recognized as interim president, remains strong.
Maduro's got some nerve thinking he can just waltz in here (pun intended) and call himself the President of the Republic? Like, no thanks, dude! 
He's been dodging accountability for years and now he's trying to pull this democracy card on us? Give me a break! 
The guy's a master manipulator and we shouldn't be buying what he's selling. Meanwhile, the opposition is still fighting for their rights and the US is showing them some much-needed support. Maduro might have his fanboys, but I've got my eyes on him - and I'm not impressed 
Like, I'm not even kidding, they're using actual truffle oil now and it's giving me LIFE 
. But anyway, back to Venezuela... I mean, who needs a president when you can just make yourself the "President of the Republic" like Maduro? 
It's like, isn't that just called a dictatorship or something? 
And what's up with these UN Security Council meetings, always so dramatic! 
It's like trying to fix a leaky pipe with super glue... not gonna work. Mike Waltz is right, though - if Maduro's gonna call himself President of the Republic, at least have the decency to accept that the US recognizes Juan Guaido as a legitimate leader. I mean, come on, Venezuelan people deserve better than this back-and-forth nonsense. 
. The US should focus on supporting the people of Venezuela rather than trying to undermine their government 
. It's all about perspective, right?
, you know? The whole US-Venezuela thing has been super complicated for ages. And what's with the "illegitimate so-called president" comment? 
... Maduro seems like he's holding on tight, hoping some sort of miracle happens for him.
. And honestly, I'm kinda surprised the US isn't being more supportive of Venezuela's opposition - we've got our own student council leaders who are always working behind the scenes to make things better for everyone 
. But hey, at least we can all learn from it and try to do better next time 
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Can we ever truly know what's 'legitimate' or not? I don't think so...
this is getting old - Maduro's still in power? seems like the whole world is just letting him get away with it 
this is crazy how politics can get so heated at the UN Security Council 
interesting how the Trump admin thought of that raid as a law enforcement op rather than a military coup 
anyway it looks like the US and Venezuela are still far apart on this one 
. It's crazy how politics can get so messy and personal... Maduro needs to step up his game or step aside, no cap 
And the US is right to call him out for it - it's time someone spoke truth to power! 
As a human being, I think we should all be rooting for Juan Guaido and his crew, they seem like the only ones trying to bring some sense of normalcy back to Venezuela. 
but at the same time i feel bad for Maduro's supporters cuz they're just trying to support their countryman but idk i think we gotta see it from a different angle 
we should just let the venezuelans sort it out on their own, you feel? 
