Conflict in Caracas: US calls on Venezuelan government officials to renounce Maduro

The renewed uprising in Venezuela with violent clashes between protesters and the military is attracting international reactions. US National Security Advisor John Bolton has called on Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and others to join the self-proclaimed Interim President Juan Guaidó. Padrino had after the call Guaidós initially put behind the government of the incumbent president Nicolás Maduro. So far, there is no evidence that large parts of the military are against Maduro.

Bolton said Venezuela would drift into dictatorship should Guaidó's efforts fail. The US is about a peaceful transfer of power in Venezuela, said Bolton. US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, he is watching the situation very closely. The US is on the side of the Venezuelan people, Trump said.

I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!

In the South American country, self-appointed interim president Guaidó had some soldiers on his side on Tuesday morning and called on the rest of the armed forces to join him. (Read here how Guiadó wants to force the change of power in Venezuela.)

In the video: Guaidó goes all out

Video

Rafael Hernandez / DPA

Renegade soldiers also freed the imprisoned for years opposition leader Leopoldo López from house arrest. According to Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero, López is apparently in the residence of the Chilean ambassador in Caracas.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro expressed his "solidarity" with the Venezuelans. Venezuela is "enslaved by a dictator," wrote Bolsonaro on Twitter. The Mexican foreign ministry, on the other hand, said it was concerned about a possible escalation of violence in Venezuela. Mexico had rejected Maduro for a long time, but after the election of current President Obrador relations had improved again.

photo gallery

5 pictures

The government of incumbent President Maduro is supported, for example, by Russia, China and Turkey. The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, warned against external intervention. There were forces that sought only a pretext for a violent intervention.

Kosachev did not name the US by name, but demanded that the power conflict be solved through domestic dialogue and based on the mechanisms of the United Nations. Russia had already sent weapons and about 100 soldiers to the country, according to Reuters.