We’re seeing Venezuela in the news a lot recently, especially with the current political standoff caused by the real challenge being made to Maduro’s leadership. The crisis in the country has been ongoing however, causing an exodus of around 3 million Venezuelans since 2015. Although most of these migrants have headed to surrounding South American countries, a large number have also arrived in Europe and are claiming asylum in EU countries. Spain may be the natural destination for Venezuelans, given the historical links and shared language, but citizens of the troubled nation are also arriving in the UK in search of a better life. We’re on hand as ever to provide discounted or free certified translations to those in need and on a limited budget. The political situation is complex, with the newcomer Guaidó claiming that a clause in the Venezuelan constitution allows the chair of the national assembly to assume interim power and call new elections within 30 days if the legislature believes that the president has not performed his duties. Guaidó made his case with the assembly’s claim that the general elections of May 2018 were rigged, and with the rejection of the result by the two main candidates opposing Maduro. The president was inaugurated to his new six-year term on 10th January of this year, and by the end of the month we had seen the hitherto little-known Guaidó make his claim to the interim presidency. The 35-year-old has been thrust into the limelight since he was made chairman of the national assembly of 5th January, it being his party’s turn to take on the role. He would ordinarily have made an unlikely chairman at his age, but given that most of the leaders of his party, Voluntad Popular (Popular Will), have been exiled, forced into hiding or are under house arrest, the role seems to have fallen to him serendipitously. Or perhaps not, could this shrewd young politician perhaps have jumped at the chance to jump to the fore and claim the presidency? Would this bold move have been baulked at by his elder, more experienced colleagues? Or is he merely a pawn being used by Venezuela background forces with their own ambitions for power, which are in turn being influenced and supported by US money and interests? The move of course fits into larger global political currents, with Donald Trump throwing his weight behind the new challenge to Maduro and the now troubled Bolivarian Revolution, begun by the current president’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Russia and China meanwhile have predictably remained loyal to Maduro. A similar duality can be seen in the British political landscape, with the Tory government now recognizing Guaidó as president after initially calling on Maduro to call fresh elections, while the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has stated her opposition to his recognition, while at the same time criticizing Maduro for having “betrayed every socialist value”. The situation is obviously complicated, and the situation in Venezuela is obviously dire, but while we can give an outline of the situation here, our specialism is in translation, not politics. We’re here to help any Venezuelan citizens affected by the events in the country and who are in need of certified translation of their documents as part of asylum or other residency procedures anywhere in the world. If that’s you, get in touch, and if you know of anyone in need of help with these services, please point them in our direction. Thanks for reading.