A 35-Year old with the dictator

Until a few weeks ago was Juan Guaidó almost unknown. Now the 35-year-old engineer, is challenging the head of state, Maduro and could possibly be, even President.

Born in 1978 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Studies in Berlin and Seville. Internship at the Berliner Zeitung, starting in 2008, Deputy head of Sport at the Berliner Zeitung. From 2010 to 2014, employees of the sports editors of the süddeutsche Zeitung. Since 2015, Latin America correspondent based in Rio de Janeiro.

Juan Guaidó is strictly a President without a Parliament. Venezuelan head of state Nicolas Maduro has deprived the Opposition-dominated national Assembly in 2017 and by a regime faithful body replaced, which he calls "constitutional Assembly". The Legislative branch is, de facto, abolished, their leader only a symbolic figure. Guaidó has proven in the past few days, but that you can also change the symbolic politics of the world. Some say that it already for the new President of Venezuela.

How fast it can go. Until a few weeks ago, this 35-year-old engineer was almost unknown. In 2007, he participated in the student protests against then-President Hugo Chávez. Four years later he was elected for the first time for the opposition party Voluntad Popular member of Parliament. More from lack of Alternatives - the most popular heads of the Opposition are either in exile or arrest rose Guaidó to be under the house at the beginning of January to the most recent Chairman of the Parliament. But already with his first speech he gave on Friday in a public meeting, he made an impression.

Guaidó reached in a few days, more than all his predecessors

Guaidó called the autocrats Maduro, who last Thursday was sworn in for a second term, "a usurper", because it is a choice of professions had been, and described the national Assembly as "the sole legitimate power to represent the Venezuelan people". He also referred to an article in the Constitution, which stipulates that the President of the Parliament, so he even, on a transitional basis, takes a seat, if the Post of state President is vacant. Most of the audience wondered what was going to say Guaidó. He had explained himself to the head of state? If the confusion was calculated, it could have been a pretty smart move. In any case, he has brought a new dynamic in the least, something to numb the struggle for power in Caracas.

Juan Guaidó seems to not know that the President, by claiming that it was. In fact, he left it at the crucial point, the auto-proclamation of, in the case of a hint. He offered his willingness to take on government responsibility for the case, that the people, the armed forces and the international community to support him. It sounded like the description of a path to a transitional government and fair elections.

Usually, Maduro makes with recalcitrant opposition brief process. It was therefore no great Surprise that Guaidó was dragged on Sunday by the domestic intelligence service out of his car and arrested. Surprisingly, it was rather that he was again free. Apparently Guaidó has to do with his vague claim to the Regime on the Defensive. With subtle challenges an autocrat like Maduro can handle worse than with a direct confrontation.

international support has reached Guaidó in a few days, more than any of his predecessors. Many Latin American countries in the so-called Lima-a group that does not recognize Maduro's government, assured Guaidó your support. The Chairman of the organization of American States welcomed him as the "interim President of Venezuela". Also, the political and economic crisis almost paralyzed-looking people seems to gain new strength. 23. In January, it is a call to Guaidós following, for the first time in almost two years, mass protests against Maduro. That would be a good opportunity for the hitherto loyal to the regime forces, to switch sides.

the day comes, If at some point, the Venezuelans realize that you can demonstrate without fear, would have Maduro lost. And Juan Guaidó would have won.