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Venezuela crisis: Opposition supporters host nationwide rallies Venezuela crisis: Rival protests held in Caracas
(about 2 hours later)
Supporters of Venezuela's self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó are gathering for nationwide demonstrations. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Venezuela's capital Caracas in support of President Nicolás Maduro - and his self-proclaimed interim successor Juan Guaidó.
Saturday's protests are intended to ramp up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro to step down and call a snap presidential election. Mr Guaidó said the country's opposition movement would "carry on in the streets". Mr Maduro told supporters he was the only president of Venezuela.
Mr Guaidó declared himself president last month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries. Mr Guaidó declared himself president last month and is backed by the US and several Latin American countries.
Russia and China back President Maduro.Russia and China back President Maduro.
Major European countries have given him until Sunday to announce a fresh vote before they join the nations recognising Mr Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president. The stand-off began days after Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term, following disputed elections which many opposition leaders did not contest because they were in jail or boycotting it.
Military support is seen as crucial to Mr Maduro's hold on power. Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela's National Assembly, says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.
What's the latest?What's the latest?
TV pictures show crowds gathering in Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia and Puerto Ordaz. Addressing thousands of supporters in the capital Caracas, Mr Guaidó said protests would continue until his supporters achieved "freedom".
Both Mr Maduro and Mr Guaidó have taken to Twitter to rally their base. But a large pro-Maduro crowd gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of the rise to power of his predecessor, the socialist leader Hugo Chávez. Mr Maduro accused international media of "making invisible" [not showing] demonstrations by pro-government supporters.
Mr Maduro used religious imagery to call on supporters to remain strong "in the face of difficulties". Mr Guaidó called on protesters to show their "gratitude" for international backing, using the hashtag #ElMundoEstáConVzla (TheWorldisWithVenezuela). The rival protests come a day ahead of a deadline given to Mr Maduro by major European countries to announce new presidential elections - otherwise they would also recognise Mr Guaidó.
A high-ranking Air Force general announced his support for Mr Guaidó in a video message posted online. Military support is seen as crucial to Mr Maduro's hold on power. Many supporters at Saturday's rally were seen wearing the khaki uniforms of the government militia.
Ahead of the protests, a high-ranking Air Force general announced his support for Mr Guaidó in a video message posted online.
Gen Francisco Yanez, the force's head of strategic planning, called on other members of the military to join him in defecting. It is not clear when or where the message was recorded.Gen Francisco Yanez, the force's head of strategic planning, called on other members of the military to join him in defecting. It is not clear when or where the message was recorded.
In response, the Air Force's high command accused him of treason.In response, the Air Force's high command accused him of treason.
Mr Guaidó, meanwhile, says he has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting Mr Maduro.Mr Guaidó, meanwhile, says he has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting Mr Maduro.
He has also reached out to China in the hope of improving relations with the country.He has also reached out to China in the hope of improving relations with the country.
In comments published in the South China Morning Post on Saturday, Mr Guaidó said he wanted a "productive and mutually beneficial" relationship with China, adding that he was ready to engage in dialogue "as soon as possible".In comments published in the South China Morning Post on Saturday, Mr Guaidó said he wanted a "productive and mutually beneficial" relationship with China, adding that he was ready to engage in dialogue "as soon as possible".
What has Mr Guaidó said? 'I have hope again'
In a speech at Venezuela's Central University earlier this week, Mr Guaidó called on people to take to the streets in a show of force against President Maduro's refusal to hand over power. Analysis by James Reynolds, BBC News, Caracas
"Let's keep protesting," he told a crowd of students, doctors and nurses: "Let's keep taking the streets." For the first time in years, Venezuela's opposition feels optimistic. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital. They want to find a way of bringing about fall of the government they detest. Many have spent years living with shortages.
Mr Guaidó also called on Venezuelans to gather for fresh protests to demand "humanitarian assistance", including food and medical supplies, be delivered to those suffering amid the crisis. "I'm 17 and I've only ever seen this government," one protester told me. "I don't want to live under it any more. I'm tired of this."
On Wednesday, thousands of Mr Guaidó's supporters took to the streets in the capital, Caracas, and several other cities across Venezuela. They called on the military to abandon its support of President Maduro and allow humanitarian aid into the country. Francia, a school teacher, told me that her mother had died because of a lack of medicine. "I have hope again," she said.
Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela's National Assembly, says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate. "We were hopeless a month ago. We believe this is the real change. I've been fighting for almost 20 years. Nobody believed us. Now they do - and we do, too."
What did Mr Guaidó say on Saturday?
"We are going to carry on in the streets until we achieve freedom and the end of the usurpation [of Maduro]," he told cheering crowds.
He reiterated an appeal to the "civil and military officials" of Mr Maduro's administration to back him. "Soldier of the nation... you have a role in the recovery of Venezuela," he said.
Mr Guaidó announced that the opposition would start gathering humanitarian aid from Colombia and Brazil and urged the military to let it into the country.
Between 250,000 a 300,000 Venezuelans were "in danger" of dying due to food and medicine shortages, he added.
What about Mr Maduro's position?What about Mr Maduro's position?
President Maduro told Russian news agency RIA he was prepared to hold talks with the opposition "for the good of Venezuela" but would not accept ultimatums or blackmail. In a speech carried live by Venezuelan state TV, President Maduro insisted that his his left-wing revolutionary government would continue in power.
He insisted he had the backing of the military, accusing deserters of conspiring to plot a coup. "I am the sovereign president of all Venezuela," he said, adding he retained the support of the military, who were "more loyal than ever" and calling on the opposition to give up a "failed" attempt to seize power.
Many officers hold posts as ministers or other influential positions. "Stop calling for war, stop supporting a coup that has already failed," Maduro said.
Where do other countries stand?Where do other countries stand?
More than 20 countries, including the US, have recognised Mr Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president.More than 20 countries, including the US, have recognised Mr Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president.
Russia, China and Turkey are among those who have publicly backed President Maduro.Russia, China and Turkey are among those who have publicly backed President Maduro.
Last week, several European countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said they would also recognise Mr Guaidó as president if elections were not called within eight days.Last week, several European countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said they would also recognise Mr Guaidó as president if elections were not called within eight days.