Venezuela coup: Juan Guaido takes to streets in military uprising

Horrifying video shows President Nicolas Maduro’s armoured cars ploughing into a crowd of anti-regime protesters in Venezuela.

Disturbing TV footage showed three armoured personnel carriers arriving at a demonstration before two turn into the crowd.

At least one person appears to fall under the wheels amid the mayhem.
 

Venezuelan opposition leaders have called for a military uprising against Mr Maduro’s government and gained quick messages of support from the Trump administration amid a possible turning point in the South American nation’s political crisis.

US President Donald Trump said he was keeping abreast of the situation in Venezuela and reiterated the country’s support for its people.

“I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter.
 

US National Security Adviser John Bolton called for “regime change” in Venezuela, saying key officials need to oust Mr Maduro.

Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton all expressed support for the opposition as its two most prominent figures, Juan Guaido and Leopoldo Lopez, stood with soldiers and called for the people, and the security forces, to rise up against Mr Maduro.

“We are with you!” Mr Pence tweeted to the opposition, in the most direct message of the three. “America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored.”

Sec. Pompeo welcomed what the Venezuelan opposition leaders were calling “Operacion Libertad”, in hopes that the abrupt release of Mr Lopez from house arrest and the apparent backing of uniformed soldiers would prompt more members of the security forces to abandon Mr Maduro.
 

To @jguaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in #operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios! #FreeVenezuela

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 30, 2019

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 US views Mr Maduro’s re-election last year as illegitimate and has recognised Mr Guaido, the opposition leader of the National Assembly, as interim president.
 

“The US Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy,” Sec. Pompeo said on Twitter. “Democracy cannot be defeated.”

Mr Guaido has taken to the streets with a small contingent of heavily-armed soldiers and detained activist Leopoldo Lopez in a military uprising.

Leopoldo Lopez is out of prison. The Venezuelan opposition leader was locked up in 2015 at the height of his popularity. He stood alongside Juan Guaido today calling for peaceful demonstrations. Lopez claims he was freed by soldiers who flipped on Maduro. https://t.co/qZoHnr6OEv

— Kevin Rincon (@KevRincon) April 30, 2019

In a three-minute video posted on his Twitter account, the politician said soldiers who took the streets would be acting to protect Venezuela’s constitution.

“The moment is now,” said Mr Guaido, who shot the video at a Caracas air base surrounded by soldiers and accompanied by detained activist and mentor, Leopoldo Lopez.

“The national armed forces have taken the correct decision, and they count on the support of the Venezuelan people,” he said.