U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on “The Situation Room” just moments ago, that Nicolas Maduro was preparing to leave Venezuela “this morning” but was talked out of it by the Russians.
“We’ve watched throughout the day, it’s been a long time since anyone’s seen Maduro,” Pompeo said. “He had an airplane on the tarmac, he was ready to leave this morning as we understand it and the Russians indicated he should stay.”
Pompeo later added, “He was headed for Havana.”
The Secretary reiterated the U.S. position is clear, “Maduro must go, the U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy”.
At least 71 people have been injured in today’s clashes in Caracas, according to Magia Santi, president of Salud Chacao Medical Center.
Of those 71 people taken to the hospital:
- 43 were injured by rubber bullets
- Two were treated for gunshot wounds
- 21 were treated for traumatic injuries
- Three suffered respiratory injuries
- One fainted
- One suffered a hand injury
Earlier this morning, CNN was taken off the air in Venezuela by the government.
DirecTV, Net Uno, Intercable, and Telefónica reported receiving orders from Venezuela’s government regulator Conatel to block CNN. CNN en Español was blocked in Venezuela in 2017.
The exact moment it was taken off the air.
Momento exacto cuando el gobierno dictador saca del aire a CNN (en inglés) de la parrilla de programación por cable (canal 706) y censura aún más con Conatel.
¿Alguno tiene duda de que la libertad de expresión no existe en Venezuela? pic.twitter.com/WR0XReOWNW
— Jhomar Lóp[e]z (@JhomarLopez) April 30, 2019
