Maduro says Trump Venezuela policy 'real madness'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro harshly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump reacting to Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó's meeting at the White House Wednesday saying the U.S President's Venezuela policy is "real madness."

"I am the President elected legitimately according to the constitution, Mr. Donald Trump. Enough of your sickly obsession with Venezuela, Trump!" said Maduro during a nationally televised event.

Guaidó scored a long-sought meeting with Trump, a high point on an international tour aimed at bolstering support for Guaidó's U.S.-backed campaign to oust Maduro.

But Guaido left the White House without the one thing coveted by every leader who visits: an Oval Office photo opportunity with the American president.

A day earlier, Guaidó was a guest at Trump's State of the Union address. Lawmakers applauded as Trump introduced Guaidó as Venezuela's "true and legitimate" leader and called Maduro a "tyrant."

The White House said Guaido's visit was an "opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the people of Venezuela."

The U.S. and nearly 60 other governments say Maduro's 2018 election was illegitimate and that Guaidó, as leader of the country's National Assembly, should be named interim president under Venezuela's constitution.

These countries blame Maduro's socialist policies for a political and economic crisis threatening regional stability.

Maduro, however, remains in control, having faced down an attempted military uprising, a brief renewal of mass anti-government protests, and sanctions and other U.S. efforts to force him to leave office.