AUSTIN, Texas — Hours after the president of Venezuela's legislature declared himself the interim president of the South American country, hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Texas Capitol on Wednesday night.
Juan Guaido, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, told anti-government protesters that this was the only way to rescue the country from President Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship, according to the Associated Press.
"We are happy because today we are proclaiming our new president, Juan Guaido, as the new leader of Venezuela," Nelson Matute, a native of Venezuela, told KVUE at the rally. "We are celebrating because we have now freedom for our fellow Venezuelans."
At the rally, many of the demonstrators shouted "freedom!" to people as they drove by and held Venezuelan flags and signs of support.
Despite Wednesday's events, Maduro said he is not going to step down.
"I hope [Maduro steps down] because there's no other way. The other way is going to be bad for them and the people that work with him," Matute said.
Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump declared his support for Guaido.
"It's really touching because we were waiting for that since some years. Today, Donald Trump has said he supports us," Matute said. "It's proud for us."
In retaliation for President Trump's support of Guaido, Maduro announced on Wednesday that all U.S. diplomats must leave the country within 72 hours.
U.S. officials said they will ignore that order.