Guatemala announces definitive rupture of relations with Venezuela

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Guatemala will withdraw its support for Nicolás Maduro (November 2019) 0:27

(CNN Spanish) - The current government of Guatemala announced the definitive breakdown of relations with the government of Nicolás Maduro, the country's official news agency AGN reported.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, who took office Tuesday, made the announcement to journalists after holding a meeting with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro
in his office of the National Palace of Culture this Thursday.

The announcement of the breakdown of diplomatic relations includes the return to Guatemala of the only diplomat who still remains in Venezuela and the closure of the Guatemalan embassy in that country, according to the Guatemalan government agency.

Giammattei had announced the decision after winning the election. In November, Giammattei told CNN: “We will proceed to recognize the government headed by President Guiadó and his ambassador. We will have no relationship with Mr. Maduro. ” He even warned that "we will work because there are democratic elections and institutionality is restored in Venezuela."

Last October, Giammettei wanted to enter Venezuela carrying an Italian passport to meet with Guaidó and the authorities denied his entry.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said that Giammattei "has thrown himself at the feet of Donald Trump immediately."

The Italian citizen who presides over the sister Republic of Guatemala has thrown himself at the feet of Donald Trump immediately. Certainly your government will become another joke in bad taste that we will see pass and dry. Our respect and affection for the dignified Guatemalan people. https://t.co/2tPjEtE4SJ

- Jorge Arreaza M (@jaarreaza) January 16, 2020

Alejandro GiammatteiNicolás Maduro