In recent days, according to media reports, at least 333 members of the Venezuelan security forces have deserted. Since Saturday, 326 military and police officers crossed over the border from Colombia, as the local migration authority yesterday announced on request of the dpa. On the Brazilian side of the border ran according to reports of the news portal „G1“ seven Venezuelan uniformed.
Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido, had insisted that Saturday’s security forces pass under massive pressure on relief supplies sent by his supporters from Colombia and Brazil.
The security forces deployed by head of state Nicolas Maduro did not do that. There were clashes with followers Guaidos, with at least four dead and over 330 injured. The 333 deserters account for around 0.3 percent of Venezuela’s armed and security forces, estimated at over 100,000 members.
Guaido wants to return to Venezuela, despite the arrest threat
Guaido has reaffirmed his desire to return from Colombia to his homeland. „My job and my duty is to be in Caracas, despite the risks, despite what it means,“ he said in a TV interview broadcast yesterday.
He will assume his „functions“ in Venezuela, even if the government intends to arrest him. The opposition politician is threatened with imprisonment in Venezuela, as he had left on Friday despite a ban to neighboring Colombia. The left-wing nationalist Nicolas Maduro had announced that he would bring his opponent in Venezuela to justice.
USA want UN resolution
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated Washington’s „all options“ on Venezuela. Washington intends to impose a resolution by the UN Security Council on the situation in Venezuela this week. „We will have a resolution this week that will certainly call for the import of humanitarian aid to Venezuela,“ said US Special Envoy for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, in New York.
