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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)
This video appears to show a National Guard armored military vehicle in the town of Puerto Ordaz turning away from protestors, who cheer with encouragement as the vehicle speeds away from the crowd.
The GNB in Puerto Ordaz have refused to repress protestors and have voluntarily withdrawn#Venezuela pic.twitter.com/eUlv9GACKK
In Caracas, the scene looks much different with the National Guard chasing away protestors.
#AHORAFuerte arremetida de la Guardia Chavista contra quienes nos encontrábamos en la autopista Francisco Fajardo, #Caracas. pic.twitter.com/c4vRl65jnp
Venezuela’s foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, has accused Donald Trump’s adminstration of sparking the conflict in Venezuela.
The heads of the coup d’état admit their responsibility without scruples. The Trump administration, in its despair, attempts to spark an internal conflict in Venezuela. Venezuela’s democratic institutions guarantee peace in the country. #TrumpHandsOffVenezuela https://t.co/bZeOUJo6cq
Opposition leaders around the world are calling for Venezuelans to head to embassies and consulates to join protests, says the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips.
This message, from a Guaidó representative in Mexico, encourages Venezuelans to gather outside the Mexico City embassy at 11am.
#Urgente Venezolanos en México la #OperacionLibertad ha iniciado, por llamado de nuestro presidente @jguaido se adelanta la operación para HOY desde las 11AM en la embajada de Venezuela en México.
Juan Guaidó is addressing demonstrators in Altamira, Caracas. He said he has been in communication with the military for years but today he knows they are not supporting Maduro - “el dictador.”
Operation Liberty has started, he said.
“Today it is clear to us that the Armed Forces are with the people and not with the dictator,” Guaidó told the crowd. “We know that all Venezuelans are in favor of change and the Constitution “
In a Tweet, Guaidó also declared “the moment is now.”
“The country’s 24 states have taken to the road: no turning back. The future belongs to us: the people and Armed Forces united by the cessation of usurpation.”
¡El momento es ahora! Los 24 estados del país han asumido el camino: calle sin retorno. El futuro es de nosotros: pueblo y Fuerza Armada unidos por el cese de la usurpación. ¡Juntos somos invencibles! #TodaVenezuelaALaCalle
More from Patricia Torres in Caracas, reporting for the Guardian: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.”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. 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: out with Russia, out with Cuba, out with 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.”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!”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!¡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: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 @jguaidoHacemos 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 @jguaidoWe 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”.