French diplomat’s support for Guaidó criticised

CARACAS (AP):

Venezuelan authorities issued a letter of protest to the French government on Monday, saying its ambassador in Caracas interfered in the Caribbean nation’s internal affairs with a provocative show of support for a leading opposition figure.

Ambassador Romain Nadal greeted Juan Guaidó at the airport outside Caracas nearly one week ago upon the opposition leader’s return to the Caribbean nation.

Guaidó, who is recognised as the country’s legitimate president by France and the European Union, had taken an international tour aimed at gathering support to oust President Nicolás Maduro, who holds practical power in Venezuela.

Guaidó violated a travel ban by Maduro’s government, making his return risky.

Venezuelan authorities said in their letter that the French ambassador employed a “provocative strategy” by going to greet Guaidó, abusing his “privileges” and “violated international conventions and customs”.

Guaidó visited the French President Emmanuel Macron on his trip, which also included a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Backers of Guaidó consider Maduro’s 2018 election fraudulent because the most popular opposition leaders were banned.