Juan Guaido

“I would like to be clear about the situation in Venezuela: Mr. Maduro's re-election on May 20, 2018, was illegitimate, as has since been acknowledged by a large part of the international community.”

“The sanctions have been a key element in making sure that those who have violated human rights and are guilty of corruption have a clear consequence to their actions. They have also been key to helping protect the assets of the Venezuelan people.”

“If we look at the day-to-day suffering of the Venezuelan people, that's not about numbers: it's about human beings.”

“President Trump's leadership has been very important to this effort of restoring democracy to Venezuela.”

“I was 15 when Hugo Chavez came to power in 1998. At the time, I lived in Vargas State, which borders the Caribbean. In 1999, torrential rains caused flash floods that left thousands of people dead. I lost several friends, and my school was buried in the mudslide. The importance of resilience has been etched into my soul ever since.”

“As president of the National Assembly, I am fully able and willing to assume the office of the presidency on an interim basis to call for free and fair elections.”

“We will fight back until we have democracy.”

“Maduro has placed himself above the Constitution, but only the Venezuelan people can be above it.”

“No one is willing to sacrifice themselves for Maduro or take up arms to fight for him.”

“Venezuela has immense talents and resources, and we can help rebuild our democracy.”

“It's important to remember that a dictator will not freely relinquish power after having hijacked the constitution and ruled with threats and promises. Sometimes it is necessary to put enough pressure on him that he leaves.”

“The very act of protest is dangerous in Venezuela.”

“I sleep placidly.”

“I've been getting calls from childhood friends who left the country and who tell me they finally have hope that they will return, and they tell me they will use everything they have learned living abroad to rebuild the country.”

“We will stay in the streets until we have freedom for Venezuela.”

“We know that Maduro's armies are riddled with persecution, torture, threats, and wrongful arrests.”

“Venezuelans live on 3 dollars a month. That's a tragedy. That is impossible to survive under these conditions.”

“The most important element for any economy is confidence.”

“My duty is to call for free elections because there is an abuse of power, and we live in a dictatorship.”

“In Venezuela, we either accept domination, total oppression and torture... from Maduro's regime, or we choose freedom, democracy, and prosperity for our people.”