Venezuela’s opposition leader and self-declared president, Juan Guaido, called Sunday for two new protests, in an effort to turn the military against President Nicolas Maduro and back a European ultimatum demanding a new round of elections within the week.
In a video posted on Twitter, Guaido said the first of the nationwide strikes, on Wednesday, January 30, from noon to 2 pm, would be one “to demand that the armed forces side with the people.”
The second, on Saturday, February 2, will be a “big national and international rally to back the support of the European Union (EU) and the ultimatum” from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands that they recognize Guaido as interim president unless Maduro calls elections by Sunday, February 3.
The United States has warned there would be a “significant response” if U.S. diplomats in Venezuela, who have been allowed to remain in the country after Maduro wavered on his initial call giving the Americans 72 hours to leave, Guaido or the opposition-controlled National Assembly were targeted with violence and intimidation.
The EU says it will take “further actions” if elections were not called in the coming days.
In an interview with Turkish private broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday, Maduro vowed that the elected government of Venezuela “will finally win” and his country would survive the “coup attempt.”
Maduro stated that they are going to overcome ‘the problem’ in his country with laws and justice, and added he is “open for dialogue.”
Maduro stressed that Guaido violated the constitution, he said, however, the issue would be solvec in accordance with the law.
Maduro added Europe was “again making a mistake” by issuing the ultimatum “Europeans were arrogant in this process. They should take back this ultimatum. No one can give us an ultimatum,” he said.
Following the U.S. almost immediate decition to support Guaido, the governments of Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.
Turkey, Russia and China all opposed the U.S. call to support Guaido, and condemned any international interference in the affairs of Venezuela. Iran also put its weight behind incumbent President Maduro.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
