Pence to Show U.S. Support for Guaido in Colombia Speech

(Bloomberg) -- Vice President Mike Pence plans to travel to Bogota, Colombia, on Monday to deliver a speech in support of Juan Guaido, whom the U.S. has recognized as the interim president of neighboring Venezuela.

Pence will “voice the United States’ unwavering support” for Guaido in the remarks, his office said in a statement on Thursday. He also plans to meet with Colombian President Ivan Duque and with families who have fled to Colombia from the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela.

His speech, at a meeting of the Lima Group, will address “the tragic humanitarian and security crises unfolding in Venezuela and ongoing U.S. efforts to deliver aid to the country,” his office said. “The Vice President will state plainly that the time has come for Nicolas Maduro to step aside.”

The Trump administration recognized Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly, as the country’s head of state last month and has been raising pressure on Maduro to step aside.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Elizabeth Wasserman

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