Venezuela’s opposition-run Congress on Tuesday formally declared President Nicolas Maduro a “usurper,” whose actions would be considered null and void after he was sworn in last week for a disputed second term. US President Donald Trump is considering recognising the leader of the Congress, Juan Guaido, as Venezuela’s legitimate president, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing three unidentified sources. Maduro was inaugurated on Jan. 10 under an avalanche of criticism that his leadership was illegitimate following a 2018 election widely viewed as fraudulent, with countries around the world disavowing his government. The United States and many Latin American nations say Maduro has become a dictator whose failed state-led policies have plunged Venezuela into its worst ever economic crisis, with no recovery in sight. Maduro says that a U.S.-directed “economic war” is trying to force him from power. Published in Daily Times, January 16th 2019.