The government of Nicolas Maduro denounced on Tuesday an “attempted coup d’état”, after the opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, claimed to have the support of a group of “brave soldiers.”
“At the moment we are facing and deactivating a small group of traitor military personnel who positioned themselves in the Altamira to promote a coup d’état,” said Communication Minister Jorge Rodríguez.
Guaido on Tuesday called for a military uprising to oust “acting President Nicolas Maduro”, in a video posted alongside soldiers and opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, who had been under house arrest.
In the video shot early on Tuesday, Guaido said the “final phase” had begun to end Maduro’s “usurpation” of the constitution. “The national armed forces have taken the correct decision, and they are counting on the support of the Venezuelan people.
Guaido spoke from the La Carlota airbase in Caracas air base.
Lopez released from house arrest
Lopez wrote on Twitter that he had been released from house arrest by the military under the constitutional orders of Guaido.
“Venezuela: The final phase has begun for the cessation of usurpation, Operación Libertad (Operation Freedom). I have been released by the military to the order of the Constitution and of President Guaidó. I’m at the La Carlota Base. All to mobilize. It’s time to conquer freedom. Strength and Faith”.
Venezuela: ha iniciado la fase definitiva para el cese de la usurpación, la Operación Libertad. He sido liberado por militares a la orden de la Constitución y del Presidente Guaidó. Estoy en la Base La Carlota. Todos a movilizarnos. Es hora de conquistar la Libertad. Fuerza y Fe pic.twitter.com/Awm6P09ZM0
— Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) April 30, 2019
“This is the moment of all Venezuelans, those in uniform and those who aren’t,” said Lopez in his first public appearance since being detained in 2014 for leading anti-government protests. “Everyone should come to the streets, in peace.”
Coup attempt
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino wrote on Twitter that the armed forces remained “firm” in defending the “legitimate” government of Maduro and that all units were under “normal” military command.
“We reject this coup movement, which aims to fill the country with violence,” Padrino said.
Major protests planned for May 1
On January 23, invoking the constitution, Guaido proclaimed himself interim president, arguing that Maduro’s re-election in 2018 was illegitimate.
Around 50 countries, including the United States and Latin American and European nations have recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo backed Guaido in a tweet on Tuesday: “The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated,” Pompeo wrote.
Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated. #EstamosUnidosVE
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) April 30, 2019
The video and heightened tensions came as Guaido has called for “the largest march in Venezuela’s history” on Wednesday, May 1, a national holiday celebrated in Venezuela and in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Pueblo de Venezuela, es necesario que salgamos juntos a la calle, a respaldar a las fuerzas democráticas y a recuperar nuestra libertad. Organizados y juntos movilícense a las principales unidades militares. Pueblo de Caracas, todos a la Carlota.
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
“People of Venezuela, it is necessary that we take to the streets together, to support the democratic forces and to regain our freedom. Organized and together the main military units have been mobilized. People of Caracas, all to La Carlota,” Guaido wrote on Twitter.
Guaido’s move represents a significant escalation in tactics that could prompt authorities to arrest him. He has already been stripped of parliamentary immunity.
The day will also test the loyalties of a military that has so far backed Maduro, despite calls from the United States and regional states for the army to support the opposition.
