8th May 2019

Guaidó ‘considers asking US to intervene’ in Venezuela crisis

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By Caribbean News Now

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó has said he is considering asking the US to launch a military intervention in the embattled country. He added that he would “evaluate all options” to oust President Nicolás Maduro.

Last week he launched a failed attempt to spark a military rebellion and force Maduro out of power. Maduro responded by delivering an address from an army base in Caracas, flanked by soldiers.

In January, Guaidó declared himself Venezuela’s interim leader. As the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, he invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing that Maduro’s re-election last year was illegitimate.

However, Maduro, who is backed by Russia, China and the leaders of Venezuela’s military has refused to cede power. More than 50 countries support Guaidó, including the UK, US and most Latin American nations – and he has said that the US backing him has been “decisive.”

“I think President [Donald] Trump’s position is very firm, which we appreciate, as does the entire world,” he said.

Questioned whether he would like Trump and the United States military to intervene, he replied it is “responsible to evaluate” the possibility of international intervention, adding: “I, as the president in charge of the national parliament, will evaluate all options if necessary.”

Trump told reporters Friday that he wasn’t looking to get the US military involved in Venezuela, added that in a phone call, Russian president Vladimir Putin had assured him “he is not looking to get involved in Venezuela other than he’d like to see something positive happen for Venezuela,” before adding: “And I feel the same way.”

However, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had much stronger words for Russia Sunday, telling the US broadcaster ABC that “the Russians must get out.”

When asked if a US invasion of Venezuela is an option, Pompeo said, “make no mistake, we have a full range of options that we’re preparing for.”

“It’s very clear; we want the Russians out, we want the Iranians out, we want the Cubans out,” Pompeo said.

Asked if President Donald Trump believes he could intervene without congressional authorization, Pompeo said, “The president has his full range of Article II authorities and I’m very confident that any action we took in Venezuela would be lawful.”

In response to the clashes, Maduro appeared Friday flanked by soldiers at an army base in Caracas, calling on the armed forces to defeat “any coup plotter.”

“No one dares touch our sacred ground or bring war to Venezuela,” he added, in a show of defiance that followed days of clashes. Four people died in the violence, including two teenagers.

However, Guaidó denies that he has been defeated, proclaiming that Maduro “has been losing again and again.”

“I think the only one who really hurts himself is Maduro,” he said. “He has been losing again and again. He is increasingly weak, increasingly alone and has no international support. On the contrary, we gain acceptance, support and future options.”

He also claims that it is “clearly visible that the armed forces no longer support Maduro.” On Wednesday, both pro- and anti-government supporters held demonstrations in Caracas which were initially peaceful.

At least 46 people were injured in clashes between opposition supporters and the security forces, last Tuesday when Guaidó alongside another opposition leader, Leopoldo López, who had been under house arrest after being found guilty of inciting violence during protests in 2014, declared “final phase” of the operation to topple Maduro.

Spain’s government later said that López and his family had sought safety in their embassy but said the opposition figure had not claimed political asylum.

An arrest warrant for violating the house arrest order was issued for López, according to a statement on the Supreme Court’s website. The order stated that López should continue to serve the rest of his 13-year sentence in prison.

Spain said it had no intention of handing over López to the Venezuelan authorities.

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