Venezuela opposition leader declares himself interim president Wednesday Jan 23,2019

Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president on Wednesday Jan 23,2019 before thousands of demonstrators cheering in support. 

"I swear to formally assume the powers of the presidency of Venezuela," the 35-year-old politician said as he raised his right hand. 

The move comes as tens of thousands marched around Venezuela demanding that Nicolas Maduro step down from power. Pro-government counterrallies are also being held. 

In a seemingly coordinated action, the US led a chorus of Western hemisphere nations, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, that immediately backed the bold challenge, with President Donald Trump calling on Maduro to resign and promising to use the "full weight" of the US economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela's democracy.

Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Peru and Argentina, among others, and the leader of the Organization of American States (OAS) followed the US in recognising Guaido as the acting president.