Venezuela’s Interim President Juan Guaidó Spotted Near Iconic Goldy the Gopher Statue
Amidst mass uncertainty, Venezuelans and Marco Rubio alike find a good laugh in the #GuaidóChallenge
By: Sebastian Alfonzo
Friday, January 25th, 2019. Venezuela’s Minister of Communications and Information, Jorge Rodriguez, released a video of a secret meeting held between the interim President, Jose Guaidó, and members of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) over the Venezuelan state-run media channel, Venezolana de Televisión. During this meeting, Rodriguez claimed that Guaidó confessed to being under immense pressure from the United States, furthering PSUV’s rhetoric regarding the current presidential crisis as an American backed coup.
Rodriguez’s Proof
But according to Guaidó the meeting never happened, leaving many to question Rodriguez’s proof.
Rodriguez’s claim to this hooded figure being a disguised Guaidó himself has left much of social media hysterically unconvinced. In response to Rodriguez’s doubtful evidence the #GuaidóChallenge came to fruition, through which participants photograph themselves hooded up as a sign of skeptical unity. Since, the hashtag has become a viral sensation, going as far as to inspire Marco Rubio and other Florida politicians to try their hand at meme-making.
A hooded figure becoming emblematic of the politician tasked with guiding Venezuela into its next elections is unfortunately quite telling of the country’s current condition. As president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Guaidó has been serving as acting president of the country since the Assembly declared the 2018 presidential election unconstitutional in January. Yet, Nicolás Maduro and his administration have not released their power, claiming that the National Assembly’s attempt towards a democratic election is but a continuation of the United States’ history of imperialism over Latin American national politics. With major nations supporting both sides, Venezuela’s future remains unclear.
Some examples of #GuaidóChallenge including Marco Rubio’s
Through these uncertain times, Venezuelans’ remain resilient in their ability to find humor in even the most trying of situations. Behind #GuaidóChallenge lies a protestive sentiment from an exasperated and hurting nation.