Pence to Venezuelans: \'Maduro is a dictator\'

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called Nicolas Maduro a "dedicator" in a video message to the people of Venezuela released on Tuesday and told the opposition "we are with you" as they prepare to march against Maduro on Wednesday Last week, Pence said he had spoken with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, a show of support for him and a further sign of U.S. displeasure with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Pence's intent in the call to Guaido, who is head of the opposition-run National Assembly, was to express U.S. support for the assembly as the "only legitimate democratic body in the country," a White House official said.

Venezuela's Congress formally declared Maduro a "usurper" after last year's disputed elections, and CNN reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president.