In photos: Opposition leader declares himself Venezuela’s president in challenge to Maduro
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela faced the most direct challenge to his power Wednesday, when an opposition leader swore himself in as the nation’s legitimate president, cheered on by tens of thousands of supporters and a growing number of governments, including the Trump administration.
Juan Guaido, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, holds a copy of Venezuelan constitution during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas.CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/Reuters
A protester burns a motorcycle during clashes with the security forces in a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
A wounded protester shows his back as riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas.FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images
A vehicle is overturned as oppositors demonstrators block a freeway during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators carry a girl during a protest of opposition supporters against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas.CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/Reuters
National guards ride a motorbike during a protest of opposition supporters against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas.CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/Reuters
Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido (C) gets on a motorbike to leave, after declaring himself the country's "acting president" during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro.FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C) speaks to a crowd of supporters flanked by his wife Cilia Flores (2-L), Venezuelan Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez (R), the head of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello, along with other members of the government, to announce he is breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States, during a gathering in Caracas.LUIS ROBAYO/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstratos protest agains the government of Nicolas Maduro before Venezuelan opposition leader and head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido (not in frame) declares self interim president.Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signs a document to break relations with the U.S., as he speaks to supporters from a balcony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.Ariana Cubillos/The Associated Press
Paramedics rescue a wounded member of the Bolivarian National Guard during clashes with opposition demonstrators in Caracas.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police on a motorcycle drive by a fire during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas.STRINGER/Reuters