Venezuela’s National Assembly on Thursday ratified opposition leader Juan Guaido as legislative speaker, defying a Supreme Court ruling approving a rival opposition figure more favorable to President Nicolas Maduro. The endorsement for Guaido continued a months-long stand-off with opposition rival Luis Parra, who Guaido has dismissed as “an accomplice to dictatorship”. “I will continue to exercise my functions,” Guaido told reporters in Caracas after a session held by video-conference rejected the “illegal” Supreme Court’s decision.
