The head of parliament has declared himself head of state of the South American country, parts of the military apparently support the step, openly turn against the socialist president Nicolás Maduro, who had lastly tried by all means to eliminate the opposition.
„Before the almighty God I vow to take over the powers of the executive as Interim President of Venezuela,“ said Juan Guaidó on Wednesday at a rally in front of supporters in the capital Caracas. His call: „Let us all swear we will not rest until we have the freedom.“
The United States, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador already recognized the new government. In contrast, the socialist governments in Bolivia and Cuba and the president of Mexico backed the Maduro regime and condemned the attempt to overthrow it.
EU Council President Donald Tusk is hoping for a common EU position – „to support democratic forces“: President Guaidó, unlike Maduro, has „a democratic mandate“ for citizens, Tusk wrote on Wednesday night. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called for new elections. The European Union supports the Guaidó-led National Assembly „as a democratically elected institution whose powers need to be restored and respected,“ she said.
Maduro: „Nobody comes here“
But the situation is absolutely confusing! Maduro called on his followers to oppose the coup attempt – and to fight: „Nobody here arises,“ he shouted – dressed in red – in front of gathered fans.
We will triumph over all this, we will emerge victorious, „said in a speech in front of his presidential palace in the capital Caracas.
The Maduro supporters also hope for the support of the military. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Twitter: „The soldiers of the motherland do not accept a president, who is used by dark forces, or is self-employed.“
With the „dark forces“, the previous leadership apparently means the US … Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, an ally of Maduro, said on Twitter: „We blame the US for provoking a coup d’état and causing a fratricidal war among Venezuelans.“
US warn Maduro against attack on diplomats
In relation to Washington threatens now an escalation!
Maduro declared diplomatic relations with the US over. The US diplomats would have 72 hours to leave the country, Maduro said. The foreign ministry in Washington promptly responded: the US said they did not recognize the withdrawal order – the diplomats were tasked with maintaining relations with the country’s new government.
Maduro has no „legal power“ to declare US diplomats unwanted, it said. The clear warning to Maduro’s Socialists: „The US will take appropriate measures to hold responsible everyone who endangers the security of our diplomatic representation and its personnel.“
The US State Department also called on the Venezuelan armed forces to guarantee the well-being of all Venezuelan citizens, as well as foreigners and US citizens in the country.
Mass demo of opponents and supporters of Maduro
Major rallies by opponents and supporters of the controversial Maduro shape the streetscape in the cities of Venezuela. The big danger: Maduro’s party has made hundreds of thousands of militia supporters in recent months – and armed. It threatens a civil war!
Members of Parliament even declared on Wednesday evening (local time): they are now afraid for the life of Transitional President Guaidó
Triggers of the current escalation: Maduro was on 10 January for his second term – without being elected regular. In large demonstrations against the dictatorial ruling socialists on Wednesday morning, at least four people were killed in nocturnal protests.
Meanwhile, the number of dead in the clashes has risen to 13! This was stated by the Observatory of Social Conflicts (OVCS). More than 100 people were arrested, it said.
In mid-month, the opposition-controlled parliament, which had been shut down by decree by Maduro, called for mass protests against the socialist regime. It came in Caracas to clashes between government opponents and the police.
In recent days, there had already been a mini-uprising in a barracks: 27 soldiers had mutinied in a barracks in the north of the capital, were arrested. January 23 is an important date in Venezuela: on this day in 1958, the military dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez fell.
Trump recognizes Transitional President Guaidó
US President Donald Trump said: „Guaidó represents the country’s“ only legitimate „state body because it was“ duly „elected by the Venezuelan people, according to a statement released by the White House.
„The people of Venezuela have courageously raised their voices against Maduro and his government, calling for freedom and the rule of law,“ Trump said, calling on other Western states to recognize Guaidó as the new president of Venezuela.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on the security forces in Venezuela not to stand in the way of a peaceful transfer of power. Pompeo called on the military and other security forces on Wednesday to „support democracy and protect all citizens of Venezuela.“
The people suffered long enough under the „catastrophic dictatorship“ of Maduro. A statement from Pompey said that the US was ready to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela, as conditions permitted.
The oil-richest country in the world had recently been hit by a massive supply crisis and hyperinflation. Numerous people have fled abroad in the last months and years before the regime and situation there.
Özdemir and Brok demand recognition from Gaido
Cem Özdemir on BILD: „Germany should recognize Guaido as the new president and help him restore lawful order and democracy. And we should help the long-suffering country quickly to rebuild, which is now pending. Everything is needed now: first of all food, then help with the infrastructure, for the actually rich country. “
And further: „I’m curious if Mrs. Wagenknecht is also happy for the people of Venezuela that hunger and oppression end.“
Also, the CDU foreign policy Elmar Brok has demanded the recognition Guaidó. Brok told BILD: „The people in Venezuela are starving because the corrupt, out-elected President Maduro is holding onto power illegally. The EU should stand behind the legitimized by Parliament Juan Gaido. He would be accepted as a transitional president by the people. „
