Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido, has pledged his compatriots to unyielding opposition to the announced mass protests against head of state Nicolas Maduro. „We are stronger than ever, this is not the moment to be weak,“ Guaido said yesterday in a video broadcast on social networks.
He called on all government officials to join in the protests planned for today. He himself will return to Venezuela today.
Whereabouts of Guaido unknown
Whether Guaido will participate in the demonstrations and where he was at the time of recording the video, he left open. His message closed the 35-year-old with the words: „See you tomorrow.“
In the morning (local time) the demonstrations are to begin in the capital Caracas and other cities. As the media in Venezuela are censored, the population should spread the call for protest and the meeting places of the government opponents on social networks, appealed Guaido.
Guaido warned against arrest
The announced return of the opposition leader to Venezuela is tricky. He is threatened with arrest because he had left the country despite an exit lock. Guaido is under investigation for declaring himself interim president of the crisis country on 23 January.
Guaido warned Maduro against being arrested on his return to Venezuela. To „kidnap“ him would be „undoubtedly one of the last mistakes“ the regime would make, Guaido said in the video message. His return to Venezuela was a „historic challenge“.
