Venezuela parliament ratifies Guaido as interim president

Alanbatnews - Venezuela's opposition-dominated National Assembly late Tuesday ratified Juan Guaido as the country's interim president until new elections can be held.

The endorsement came a day after the government of President Nicolas Maduro said its lawmakers would return to the legislature, which they abandoned three years ago, according to the AFP.

The vote represented "unrestricted political support for the leadership of Juan Guaido as president of the National Assembly and as president in charge, until the cessation of usurpation occurs," according to a statement from the National Assembly.

The decision implies that US-backed Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, will continue to head the legislature after January 5 when his term ends.

The presidency of the National Assembly normally rotates annually under an agreement within the opposition coalition.

The position would next fall to minority movements within the opposition, including parties who have signed a pact with Maduro paving the way for a return of his socialist party to the legislature.