Spain’s backing for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó is particularly significant given the two countries’ unique relationship. As Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said on Monday, the Andean nation is “a dear, sister country” and the two share deep economic and cultural ties. According to official figures there are around 100,000 Venezuelans in Spain, although many estimates put the true figure much higher. The Venezuelan government has frequently accused former Spanish prime minister José María Aznar of involvement in the botched 2002 coup that briefly removed Hugo Chávez from power. But the Spanish prime minister has also berated his right-wing opposition for refusing to close ranks on this international issue.

Source: The Irish Times February 04, 2019 16:30 UTC