In the power struggle in Venezuela, the military has put behind President Nicolas Maduro. "The soldiers of the homeland do not accept a president who is used by dark forces, or who uses himself off the right himself," tweeted Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Wednesday. Earlier, parliamentary leader Juan Guaidó had declared interim president.
In a first public reaction to the attempted seizure of power by the opposition politician, Maduro said in a speech from the balcony of the presidential palace in Caracas, the US wanted to install a "puppet government" with Guaidó. However, only the Venezuelan people could relinquish it.
"We are the majority, we are the joy, we are the people of Hugo Chávez Frías", Maduro called to his followers. "Nobody goes under here, here we go to fight." Maduro called on the Venezuelan military to close the ranks behind his government, "in defense of Venezuelan democracy," as he stated, "I ask the armed forces for maximum loyalty, maximum unity, maximum discipline."
In addition to numerous Latin American leaders, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has sided with the supporters of the opposition Juan Guaidó. "I hope that Europe supports the democratic forces in Venezuela, and the parliament with Juan Guaidó, unlike Maduro, has a democratic mandate," Tusk tweeted.
I hope that all of Europe wants to support unite in democratic forces in #Venezuela. Unlike Maduro, the parliamentary assembly, including Juan Guaido have a democratic mandate from Venezuelan citizens.
- Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) January 23, 2019Guaidó wants to overthrow the Socialist President Nicolás Maduro, who after his alleged manipulation allegations re-election on 10 January has begun a second term. International protests followed, with numerous states and international organizations calling reelection undemocratic.