Venezuela´s disgruntled Venezuelan parliament speaker has publicly challenged President Nicolas Maduro, after one day after the start of his controversial second term.
"The constitution gives me the right to hold the presidency in order to call for elections, but I need the support of the citizens," Parliament Speaker Juan Guido said on Friday.
Guido called for the support of the Venezuelan armed forces and the support of the international community.
Despite international protests, Maduro was sworn in on Thursday for a second term in front of the Supreme Court and not before the opposition-controlled parliament, as required by the constitution.
Many countries, international organizations and the Venezuelan opposition described Maduro´s re-election as undemocratic, and the Organization of American States (OAS) refused to recognize it, calling the president illegal.
In 2016, Maduro ordered the removal of the powers of the opposition-controlled parliament and transferred these powers to the pro-government drafting committee.
Many government opponents are in prison and are not allowed to work in politics, while many emigrate to exile abroad.
