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Venezuela opposition leader claims coup is under way – live news Venezuela opposition leader claims coup is under way – live news
(32 minutes later)
More from Patricia Torres in Caracas, reporting for the Guardian:
Cecilia Fernández, 69, an accountant and professor at a private university in Caracas, is demonstrating on the street and said the people of Venezuela are “retaking history.”
We are making history, retaking the history, because we are a country of liberators. These 20 years were not enough to impose a dictator on us to sell the country and that’s why I say: outside Russia, outside Cuba, outside China; living leeches of Latin America. Today, we are aborting Fidel’s dream, at this instant, at this moment. From now, on, we will not stop until we get freedom. We can’t allow them to keep stealing and destroying our country.
Nicolás Maduro says he has spoken with military leaders who have shown: “total loyalty to the People, to the Constitution and to the Fatherland.”
His message begins “Nerves of Steel!”
¡Nervios de Acero! He conversado con los Comandantes de todas las REDI y ZODI del País, quienes me han manifestado su total lealtad al Pueblo, a la Constitución y a la Patria. Llamo a la máxima movilización popular para asegurar la victoria de la Paz. ¡Venceremos!
Colombian president, Iván Duque, said this morning he supports Guaidó and urged Venezuela’s military to reject Maduro’s leadership:
Hacemos llamado a militares y al pueblo de #Venezuela para que se ubiquen del lado correcto de la historia, rechazando dictadura y usurpación de Maduro; uniéndose en búsqueda de libertad, democracia y reconstrucción institucional, en cabeza de @AsambleaVE y el Presidente @jguaido
We call the military and the people of #Venezuela to be on the right side of history, rejecting the dictatorship and usurpation of Maduro; uniting in search of freedom, democracy and institutional reconstruction, headed by @AsambleaVE and the President @jguaido
From Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro:From Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro:
Brazil’s Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reports that President Jair Bolsonaro has called an emergency meeting on Venezuela for 12.30 Brasília time (16.30 UK), quoting Vice-President, retired General Hamilton Mourão. Meeting will include foreign minister Ernesto Araújo, minister of institutional security, retired General Augusto Heleno and defence minister, retired General Fernando Azevedo as well as MourãoBrazil’s Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reports that President Jair Bolsonaro has called an emergency meeting on Venezuela for 12.30 Brasília time (16.30 UK), quoting Vice-President, retired General Hamilton Mourão. Meeting will include foreign minister Ernesto Araújo, minister of institutional security, retired General Augusto Heleno and defence minister, retired General Fernando Azevedo as well as Mourão
Reuters now reporting that Guaidó’s rally is on the move from La Carlota military base in Caracas …Reuters now reporting that Guaidó’s rally is on the move from La Carlota military base in Caracas …
Brazil’s foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, said on Tuesday that his country supports a democratic transition in Venezuela. Araujo said in a press conference in Brasilia that the Brazilian government expects Venezuela’s military to get behind Guaidó on Tuesday and push Maduro out of power. (Via Reuters)Brazil’s foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, said on Tuesday that his country supports a democratic transition in Venezuela. Araujo said in a press conference in Brasilia that the Brazilian government expects Venezuela’s military to get behind Guaidó on Tuesday and push Maduro out of power. (Via Reuters)
US secretary of state, Mike PompeoUS secretary of state, Mike Pompeo
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. #EstamosUnidosVEToday 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
This from Patricia Torres in CaracasThis from Patricia Torres in Caracas
Right now, I can see lots of regular, normal people and their children walking spontaneously towards Plaza Altamira [scene of anti-Maduro protests] to show their support for Guaidó and López’s and all the national assembly members who are there. They’re carrying flags and the atmosphere is very cheerful at the moment.Right now, I can see lots of regular, normal people and their children walking spontaneously towards Plaza Altamira [scene of anti-Maduro protests] to show their support for Guaidó and López’s and all the national assembly members who are there. They’re carrying flags and the atmosphere is very cheerful at the moment.
She has also spoken to Mariana Otero, a 32-year-old housewife, who is draped in a Venezuelan flag. She told Patricia:She has also spoken to Mariana Otero, a 32-year-old housewife, who is draped in a Venezuelan flag. She told Patricia:
Venezuelan brothers and sisters, today, 30 April, I tell you we will see each other in a free Venezuela, the Venezuela we all want and are fighting forVenezuelan brothers and sisters, today, 30 April, I tell you we will see each other in a free Venezuela, the Venezuela we all want and are fighting for
We’re waiting for all those who’ve gone abroad to come back and join us. Kisses! We’ll see each other in a free Venezuela!We’re waiting for all those who’ve gone abroad to come back and join us. Kisses! We’ll see each other in a free Venezuela!
A quick note to say that the video purporting to show a confrontation between members of the National Guard in Caracas has apparently been removed from Twitter.A quick note to say that the video purporting to show a confrontation between members of the National Guard in Caracas has apparently been removed from Twitter.
David Agren in Mexico City has sent in this statement from the Mexican government:David Agren in Mexico City has sent in this statement from the Mexican government:
We are closely following the situation in Venezuela and express our concern over the possible escalation of violence and bloodshed that could result from these events.We are closely following the situation in Venezuela and express our concern over the possible escalation of violence and bloodshed that could result from these events.
Mexico repeats its desire for, and commitment to, a peaceful, democratic and dialogue-based solution to this crisis - and one that is always founded respect for human rights.Mexico repeats its desire for, and commitment to, a peaceful, democratic and dialogue-based solution to this crisis - and one that is always founded respect for human rights.
This video, from Venezuelan TV news, apparently shows members of the National Guard loyal to Guaidó trying to force their colleagues to get out of their armoured cars on a main road in Caracas.This video, from Venezuelan TV news, apparently shows members of the National Guard loyal to Guaidó trying to force their colleagues to get out of their armoured cars on a main road in Caracas.
Funcionarios de la Guardia Nacional que apoyan a @jguaido , presionan a compañeros militares para que desciendan de la tanqueta en la autopista Francisco Fajardo, a la altura de El Recreo, en Caracas. #TVVNoticias #TVVenezuela pic.twitter.com/0XKjLU0Nc5Funcionarios de la Guardia Nacional que apoyan a @jguaido , presionan a compañeros militares para que desciendan de la tanqueta en la autopista Francisco Fajardo, a la altura de El Recreo, en Caracas. #TVVNoticias #TVVenezuela pic.twitter.com/0XKjLU0Nc5
Leopoldo López’s wife, Lilian Tintori, has just told Joe Parkin Daniels that her husband was released “to free Venezuela alongside Guaidó”.Leopoldo López’s wife, Lilian Tintori, has just told Joe Parkin Daniels that her husband was released “to free Venezuela alongside Guaidó”.
US national security adviser John Bolton on Tuesday appeared to back Juan Guaidó’s call for support after the Venezuelan opposition leader urged Venezuelans and the military to back his effort to oust President Nicolás Maduro.
“The [armed forces] must protect the Constitution and the Venezuelan people. It should stand by the National Assembly and the legitimate institutions against the usurpation of democracy. The United States stands with the people of Venezuela,” Bolton tweeted. (Via Reuters)
Reuters reporting shots - apparently live rounds - fired near the La Carlota military base
Gunshots were heard at a rally led by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó outside a Caracas air base, witnesses said, after Guaidó said earlier that troops had joined him to oust President Nicolás Maduro.
The Reuters witnesses said men in military uniform, who were accompanying Guaidó at the scene, were exchanging fire with soldiers acting in support of Maduro. The witnesses said the shots appeared to be live rounds.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the ongoing military uprising in Venezuela with his top security body.
Russian news agencies on Tuesday quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that Putin raised the current developments in Venezuela during his scheduled meeting with the Security Council.
Peskov said that the meeting “paid significant attention to the news reports about a coup attempt in that country”.
He did not elaborate further. (Via AP)
Tear gas fired in Caracas
More reaction from the region, this time from Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez:
We forcefully condemn the attempted coup d’état under way in Venezuela. Cuba offers firm support and loyalty to Nicolás Maduro, the consitutional president of our sister nation and to his chavista and Bolivarian government. Let there be an end to the assaults on peace in [Latin] America.
Earlier this month, Cuba’s leader, Raúl Castro, promised that Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US “blackmail”, even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support.
Raúl Castro pledges Cuba will never abandon Venezuela
The opposition leader Juan Guaidó was almost unknown both inside and outside Venezuela until the start of this year.
Guaidó was made chairman of the national assembly in January because it was the turn of his party, Voluntad Popular (People’s Will). At 35, he was a junior member of his party but its leaders were either under house arrest, in hiding or in exile.
He declared himself "interim president" that month, resting his claim on a clause in the constitution that allows the legislature to take power temporarily and call new elections if it deems the president to be failing to fulfil basic duties or to have vacated the post. 
Guaidó's relative obscurity initially proved an advantage in a country where the opposition has generally failed to distinguish itself, losing its nerve at critical moments, succumbing to infighting, and getting involved in a failed coup against Hugo Chávez in 2002.
He inspired a huge wave of protests inside Venezuela with a message of peaceful change, and won widespread international support. Countries from Europe to the US and regional powers recognised him as Venezuela's legitimate president, handing him control of bank accounts and Venezuelan assets along with the formal recognition.
As months dragged on however, Guaidó's hope of winning a wave of military defections that would end the rule of Nicolás Maduro seemed to fade, leaving his movement in an uneasy limbo - self-declared president but with no power.
He raised concerns inside Venezuela and internationally when he appeared to hint at the possibility of military intervention after a failed attempt to bring humanitarian aid into the country in February.
Questions have also been raised about the bedfellows Guaidó has chosen in what he calls his bid to rescue Venezuela. His main international backer is Donald Trump. 
Another key regional supporter is Brazil’s far-right firebrand president, Jair Bolsonaro, known for his hostility to human rights and his fondness for dictatorship. Despite these characteristics, Guaidó has praised what he called Bolsonaro’s “commitment to and for democracy [and] human rights”. 
This update from Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá:
Venezuelan military defectors who declared their support for Guaidó after crossing into neighbouring Colombia are now preparing to move back into Venezuela to support the uprising.
Two ex-soldiers in the Colombian border city Cúcuta told the Guardian that they were currently en route to the Tienditas bridge separating the countries.
“We are waiting for our orders from our president, Juan Guaidó,” said one sergeant who defected to Guaidó after crossing the border in late March.
Around 1000 Venezuelan soldiers, national guardsmen, and other security officials have crossed into Colombia over the last two months, according to Colombian migration officials.
He hasn’t tweeted about it yet, but Donald Trump is keeping an eye on Venezuela, Reuters reports.
“The president has been briefed and we are monitoring the ongoing situation,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in an email.
Venezuela’s ambassador to Spain, Mario Isea, has told the Spanish news agency Efe that the situation in Venezuela is under control:
The information I have is that there’s a small group who have tried to undermine order but things are under control.
This is from Patricia Torres, who reports for the Guardian from Venezuela:
I was in the middle of our morning routine when I heard a cacerolazo [people banging pots and bangs - a common form of protest in Venezuela and across Latin America] but when I was leaving the house, my neighbours told me ‘Don’t go because they took La Carlota [military base]’.
I looked out the window and could see children going back home from the school next door … people were doing a cacerolazo. I just spoke to my father who lives near La Carlota and he said he’d heard some loud bangs from there.