This is a developing story. Return to this post for updates.
UPDATE 1
Via CNN:
Opposition leader Juan Guaido told a crowd in Caracas that he has the support of the majority of Venezuelans.
Speaking through a loudspeaker to cheering supporters, Guaido said, "Operation Freedom has begun!”
"We’re going to stand here together asking and demanding the military to join," he added.
"For many years, we have talked to the armed forces, and today it's clear to us that the armed forces are with the Venezuelan people, who are not with a dictator," Guaido said.
Guaido also called on more people to take to the streets, urging all those who are able to communicate with others to send messages encouraging them to protest. Many internet platforms are reportedly unavailable in Venuzeula today.
UPDATE 2
At Milken Conference, White House Chief-of-Staff Mick Mulvaney:
We do not consider it a coup because we consider Guaido the legitimate leader of Venezuela.
Russia and Cuba should not interfere.UPDATE 3
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro tweeted a defiant message as opposition leader Juan Guaido raises the pressure on his beleaguered regime.
The President said he has met with regional defense bodies, which have expressed "total loyalty." He also called for "maximum popular mobilization."
Maduro wrote: "Nerves of Steel! I have spoken with the commanders of all the REDIs and ZODI of the country, who have expressed their total loyalty to the people, to the Constitution and to the fatherland. I call for maximum popular mobilization to ensure the victory of peace. We Will win!"
UPDATE 4
From White House counselor Kellyanne Conway:
Maduro has to go — we made that very clear.
We support the people of Venezuela we’re sad that they have been starved by Maduro. They’ve been denied food and medicine and basic humanitarian needs having been met. The United States has gotten supplies there to them. Sometimes those have been obstructed or burnt. But we stand with the people of Venezuela and we stand with Juan Guaido.UPDATE 5
US embassy in Venezuela warns US citizens to "shelter in place" if they can't get out
Alert: Demonstrations are scheduled to take place throughout #Venezuela on April 30 & may continue in the following days. Please see 👇🏼 or visit: https://t.co/7nYztR19mj pic.twitter.com/or6Ds0gnmI— US Embassy, VE (@usembassyve) April 30, 2019
UPDATE 6
From The Sun:
Gunfire has been heard on the streets of Venezuela today Guaido today called for a military uprising in a video call to arms against Nicolas Maduro's government.
-TEAR GAS FIRED AT VENEZUELA'S GUAIDO, WHO IS GATHERED WITH SOME 70 MEN IN MILITARY UNIFORM OUTSIDE CARACAS' LA CARLOTA AIR FORCE BASE: REUTERS WITNESS
- CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY HEAD SAYS OPPOSITION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE OVER CARACAS' LA CARLOTA AIR FORCE BASE
UPDATE 7
Rusian response (via CNN)
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the unfolding situation in Venezuela with his security council, the Kremlin said in a statement today.
“The meeting’s participants paid much attention to the situation in Venezuela in light of the news about an attempted coup,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
A small contingent of Russian military specialists is currently in Venezuela.
The press office of the Russian embassy in Caracas told Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti that the personnel are there to undertake training and maintenance on military hardware, adding that their intervention in the unfolding situation was "out of the question."
UPDATE 8
Pence encourages the coup attempt:
UPDATE 9To @jguaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in #operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios! #FreeVenezuela— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 30, 2019
#BREAKING A military vehicle has rammed protesters in Venezuela, TV footage shows pic.twitter.com/u8W2GgxiI0— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 30, 2019
UPDATE 10
The leader of the Empire weighs in:
I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2019
UPDATE 11
CNN has been taken off the air in Venezuela by the Maduro government.
Thread continues here.
The US has had a coup already. They just feel there hasn't been a need to let us know....yet.
ReplyDeleteRecuerda, mis amigos, "serpentine!, serpentine!!" (obscure movie reference)
ReplyDeleteBeware of the giant tsetse flies carrying off little brown babies in their beaks.
DeleteDoes anyone actually know the politics of this 35 year old that thinks he can run the country better? I assume he is just another nitwit lefty, but I never read anything from the brain dead news that indicates its even been investigated.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, a quote from an article today on Unz.com: “We will pursue a new foreign policy that finally learns from the mistakes of the past…We will stop looking to topple regimes and overthrow governments…. Our goal is stability not chaos, because we want to rebuild our country [the United States]… We will partner with any nation that is willing to join us in the effort to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism …In our dealings with other countries, we will seek shared interests wherever possible and pursue a new era of peace, understanding, and good will.”
ReplyDeleteCandidate D.J. Trump
There are no good guys to root for in this fight. Except maybe Putin, who seems to be the only adult in the room.
ReplyDelete