THE HAGUE - The Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó can no longer speak on behalf of Venezuela, according to the Netherlands. He does remain “an important discussion partner on behalf of the opposition,” says foreign minister Stef Blok. The Netherlands and some sixty other countries recognized Guaidó as interim president two years ago. He was then President of the Venezuelan Parliament. Not President Maduro, but he would represent Venezuela. But a new parliament has since taken office, without the opposition, which boycotted the elections.
Venezuela actually no longer has “fully democratically legitimized dignitaries,” says Blok. "That puts us in a complicated position."
Blok and his EU colleagues decided on Monday that from now on they will regard Guaidó as a “privileged interlocutor”. Despite fierce criticism from the European Parliament, among others. Critics call the EU's decision another blow to Guaidó's position and the dire opposition.
From now on, the Netherlands and the EU will have to act “on a case-by-case basis,” says Blok. "We just have to do that in a very pragmatic way."