Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged his troops Saturday to be “ready” for potential US military action, as backers of opposition leader Juan Guaido marched on barracks in a new bid to win the armed forces’ support.
Capping a week that saw a failed uprising led by the US-backed Guaido, Maduro instructed the military “to be ready to defend the homeland with weapons in your hands if one day the US empire dares to touch this territory, this sacred earth.”
Underscoring the continued military support for his socialist regime, Maduro delivered his televised address from a base in northwestern Cojedes state — where he appeared alongside his defence minister, Vladimir Padrino, and in presence of more than 5,000 troops.
The United States has refused to take the threat of military action off the table in its push to oust Maduro — although so far has so far limited its campaign to ramp up sanctions.
Guaido’s cause gained renewed support Saturday however from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who issued a video address to the Venezuelan people, telling them: “The time for transition is now.”
“You can hold your institutions, your military and their leaders to the highest standards and demand a return to democracy,” Pompeo said in the message.
“The United States stands firmly with you in your quest.” National Assembly head Guaido, 35, has branded Maduro a usurper over his controversial re-election last year, and in January declared himself acting president, plunging Venezuela into a political crisis that deepened its already grave economic woes.
But Maduro has held firm, bolstered by the continued support of the powerful armed forces.
“I told the generals and admirals yesterday: loyalty, I want an active loyalty… I trust you, but keep your eyes open, a handful of traitors cannot tarnish the honour, the unity, the cohesion and the image of the armed forces,” the president said, in a speech broadcast on public radio and television.
On Twitter, Guaido — recognized by more than 50 countries as Venezuela’s interim president — urged his supporters to “mobilize in a civil and peaceful way” to their nearest military base, to persuade the armed forces to abandon Maduro and back a transitional government.
“The goal is to carry our message without falling into confrontation or provocation.” This protest came days after Guaido tried to incite a military insurrection that fizzled out, with a group of 25 rebel soldiers seeking refuge in the Brazilian embassy in Caracas.
That triggered two days of clashes between opposition supporters and government forces that left four people dead and hundreds injured.
The country’s chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab said on Friday that 18 arrest warrants had been issued for “civilian and military conspirators” following the failed uprising, with lieutenant colonels among the uniformed personnel being sought.
Venezuela’s top court has also ordered the re-arrest of key opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez, who was freed from house arrest by rebel soldiers before seeking refuge in the Spanish embassy.
“I don’t think this will produce a military breakdown, but it will contribute to something bigger happening soon,” Marcos Rodriguez, a 24-year-old lawyer, told AFP outside La Carlota air base, the scene of Tuesday’s uprising.
Tensions in Venezuela have soared since Guaido invoked the constitution to declare himself acting president, claiming Maduro’s re-election was illegitimate.
As major world powers have been drawn in, the US has thrown its support behind Guaido and Russia and China have backed Maduro.
But while the United States insists Maduro’s days are numbered, experts say its options are limited and that Washington may have overestimated Guaido’s strength.
President Donald Trump meanwhile adopted a strikingly conciliatory tone on Friday after a lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Venezuela crisis.
“He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he’d like to see something positive happen for Venezuela,” Trump said of Putin.
“And I feel the same way. We want to get some humanitarian aid. Right now people are starving.” Venezuela has suffered five years of recession marked by shortages of basic necessities and failing public services.
Trump’s tone struck a contrast with that of his top advisors, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, who tweeted bluntly that “Maduro must go.