Maduro has backed down and is now calling for early parliamentary elections after a massive protest today and members of the military defected to Guaido, the opposition leader.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has remained defiant following the defections of at least two military officials, while declaring his support for fresh parliamentary elections.
In a speech to tens of thousands of supporters on Saturday, Maduro declared that he supports the National Assembly’s proposal, saying, “Let’s go for elections”.
Elections for the opposition-controlled National Assembly are not supposed to take place again until 2020.
In the same speech, the president denounced the interventionist policy of the United States and the administration of President Donald Trump.
“A wave of global conciousness is rising in the face of daily threats against the White House warmongers,” Maduro said.
This is in response to military leaders leaving him to join the opposition:
Earlier on Saturday, a high-ranking Venezuelan air force official, General Francisco Yanez, withdrew his support of Maduro, and recognised Guaido as interim head-of-state.
Later in the day, another military officer in active service, Lieutenant Colonel Andres Eloy Volcan, also declared his support of Guaido and urged other military officers to follow him and “restore democracy.
That is really the thing threatening his grip on power because the military can keep protesters stomped down. Once he loses the military, then it’s over.
Here’s video of the anti-Maduro rally:
On the other side is this pro-socialist jackass:
Today, I attended a huge Chavista rally on Avenida Bolivar in Caracas, #Venezuela. Tens of thousands gathered to show their support for the government of Nicolas Maduro. These are the images that Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro & Justin Trudeau don't want you to see.#VenezuelaCoup pic.twitter.com/jwNbxqIZa0
— Dimitri Lascaris (@dimitrilascaris) February 2, 2019
And what, ignore that Maduro has destroyed the country with his socialist madness?
I am all for regime change in Venezuela, as socialism has brought the once prosperous country to its knees. A state that has broken down completely means there no longer a social compact between the people and the government. However, the more that regime change can reflect the will of the people, the more that it is likely to be completed without bloodshed. Hopefully we see a peaceful end to this tyrannical government and a safe secure transition to a state that respects freedom and liberty.
UPDATE!!
The U.S. is backing Guaido, and they just want Maduro to GO.
Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship is destroying Venezuela. For too long, the people of Venezuela have suffered under the heavy hand of oppression. But now, there is hope. We are with the people of Venezuela, we stand with them, and we will stay with them until democracy is restored. pic.twitter.com/eDlKWjXNiC
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 2, 2019
Pursuant to the request of Interim President Juan Guaido, and in consultation with his officials the US will mobilize and transport humanitarian aid—medicine, surgical supplies, and nutritional supplements for the people of Venezuela. It’s time for Maduro to get out of the way. https://t.co/LXZsBf8vq6
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 2, 2019
I really really hope for the sake of the Venezuelan people that somehow there’s a peaceful transition. These kinds of things can end with a lot of bloodshed when people start making stupid and stubborn decisions.