U.S. to allocate $314 million to combat the effects of the crisis in Venezuela

The United States has decided to allocate an additional $314 million in aid, which will go to combat the humanitarian and economic effects of the crisis in Venezuela.

The funds are allocated to provide “health, economic and development assistance to Venezuelan refugees and vulnerable migrants throughout the Western Hemisphere,” as well as to support humanitarian programs for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and temporary housing.

The political situation in Venezuela escalated after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, whose appointment as speaker of parliament had been revoked by the Supreme Court two days earlier, declared himself acting president on January 23, 2019. He was recognized as interim head of state by the U.S., joined by the Lima Group countries except for Mexico, the Organization of American States and most members of the European Union.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called what had happened a coup attempt and announced that he was breaking off diplomatic relations with the United States. He was supported by Russia, Belarus, Iran, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Syria and Turkey.