Change in Venezuelan Government Benefits Creditors China and Russia, Says Guaido – Reuters

By Mayela Armas

CARACAS – A change in the Venezuelan government would benefit the country’s primary foreign creditors, Russia and China, according to opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido in an interview on Thursday.

Guaido mentioned that he has reached out to allies of President Nicolas Maduro, who argues that Guaido is attempting to stage a coup against his socialist regime. The United States and several other nations currently recognize Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

"What most suits Russia and China is the country’s stability and a change of government," Guaido stated. "Maduro does not protect Venezuela, nor does he safeguard anyone’s investments, making him an unfavorable deal for those nations."

Speaking from his residence in Caracas, Guaido noted that agents from a notorious police unit visited his home that morning, inquiring about his wife, reflecting the increasing pressure Maduro is exerting on the opposition.

During the interview, Guaido expressed that he had "no fear" of a potential arrest after the Supreme Court authorized a preliminary investigation into his actions earlier that week, which included a travel ban and a freeze on his bank accounts.

He emphasized that the Venezuelan government would be "responsible" toward its creditors and bondholders, although he currently does not have control over state functions, which remain loyal to Maduro despite calls from the opposition for defections.

Guaido is also assessing how to take control of Citgo, the U.S. unit of the state-run oil firm PDVSA and Venezuela’s largest foreign asset, as the U.S. administration seeks to leverage the company in efforts to unseat Maduro.

Both Guaido and the U.S. government aim to appoint a new board of directors for Citgo. He reaffirmed that under a future administration, PDVSA would remain state-owned, with a key focus on recovering production in the beleaguered oil sector.

"We are here to provide certainty to the economy, society, and politics," Guaido concluded.