Caracas, May 1
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have defeated what he called a "military coup" attempt by opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Dozens of National Guardsmen sided with the opposition in clashes on Tuesday that injured more than 100 people, making it the most violent episode of the Venezuelan political crisis this year.
In a defiant TV address later on Tuesday, Maduro said Guaido, who declared himself interim President in January, had failed to turn the military against him, the media reported on Wednesday.
Guaido, however, insists that Maduro has lost control of the armed forces and that a peaceful transition is at hand. He appealed to his supporters to take to the streets of Venezuela again on Wednesday.
He has been recognised as interim leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, including the US, the UK and most in Latin America.
But Maduro, backed by Russia, China and the top of the country's military, has refused to cede leadership to his rival.
In his televised address, flanked by military commanders, Maduro accused protesters of "serious crimes" which he said would "not go unpunished". — IANS
US supports Guaido
- Juan Guaido has been recognised as interim leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, including the US, the UK and most in Latin America
- But Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is backed by Russia, China and the top of the country's military, has refused to cede leadership to his rival
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2Lrjoam
via Today’s News Headlines
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