Guaido foreign tour may not bring success in Venezuela

Significance

Guaido’s trip brought strong reaffirmations of support for his interim presidency, but no clear advance of strategy to displace President Nicolas Maduro. Although he was met by protests and insults from government supporters, the government has largely ignored Guaido’s return and so far no action has been taken against him for breaking a travel ban.

Impacts

• Guaido must move quickly to capitalise on the energy generated by the foreign tour, although his strategy remains unclear.
• Washington will tighten sanctions despite negative impacts on ordinary Venezuelans and the failure to break Maduro’s control.
• The government will focus on stabilising the economy to boost support ahead of legislative elections this year.