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Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is claiming a coup is under way, calling for the military to rise up against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
Key points:
- Both sides are claiming the army is supporting their causes
- Venezuela’s socialist party chief claims it is a US-backed coup attempt
- Venezuela has sunk into political and social turmoil under socialist leader Mr Maduro
Mr Guaido is urging Venezuelan citizens and the army to join him in the “final phase” of his attempt to oust Mr Maduro, following months of unrest due to hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods.
Mr Guaido — the leader of Venezuela’s Opposition-led National Assembly — declared himself as the country’s interim president earlier this year, on the basis that Mr Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate.
In a three-minute video posted on Mr Guaido’s twitter page, he is seen surrounded by heavily armed soldiers backed by a number of armoured vehicles.
“With the support of the Venezuelan people and the backing of our constitution they are on the right side of history,” he said, while urging on the rest of the military to defect.
The Venezuelan government has denied claims that the army is now backing Mr Guaido.
Mr Maduro tweeted a defiant messaged saying Mr Guaido has “nerves of steel”, adding that key military figures are loyal to his government.
‘It’s now or never’
Mr Guaido was joined by activist Leopoldo Lopez who said he has been freed from house arrest by members of the military supporting the coup.
As he spoke on a highway overpass outside La Carlota air base in Caracas, troops loyal to Mr Maduro sporadically fired tear gas from inside the adjacent facility towards the crowd of a few hundred civilians.
Gunshots have also been heard where Mr Guaido and Mr Lopez have been gathering supporters.
“I want to tell the Venezuelan people: this is the moment to take to the streets and accompany these patriotic soldiers,” said Mr Lopez, who had been detained since 2014 for leading anti-government protests.
“Everyone should come to the streets, in peace.”
Some sense a real opportunity to overthrow the government after months of turmoil, during which Mr Maduro has withstood an onslaught of domestic protests and international pressure.
“It’s now or never,” said one of the young rebellious soldiers, his face covered in the blue bandanna preferred by the few dozen soldiers who stood alongside Mr Guaido and Mr Lopez.
A US-backed coup attempt: Socialist party chief
Venezuela’s Government said it was putting down the small coup attempt by military “traitors” working with right-wing opponents.
Some people were seen waving flags of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and the nation as they shouted slogans in support of Mr Maduro.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Twitter rejected what he called an attempt by a “subversive movement” to generate “panic and terror.”
Meanwhile, socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello said most of Caracas was calm.
He called on government supporters to amass at the presidential palace to defend Mr Maduro from what he said was an attempt of a US-backed coup.
However, there are currently no evidence showing US involvement in the activity.
The White House said it was “watching and waiting” on the situation in Venezuela and hoping the result would be democracy.
A spokesperson said the US stands with Mr Guaido, whom it recognised as the legitimate leader following the 2018 election, and was pushing for “a peaceful transition of power”.
The Australian Government has also previously released a statement recognising Mr Guaido as the country’s legitimate leader— following similar declarations by the US, Britain, Germany and France.
Venezuela has sunk into turmoil under Mr Maduro, with the country currently in its sixth year of recession, despite being rich in oil.
ABC/Wires
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