The recent mass protests against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed at least 26 deaths, according to human rights activists. The victims have been killed in demonstrations in eight different states since Monday, the Observatory for Social Conflicts (OVCS) said. Previously, the non-governmental organization (NGO) had spoken of 16 dead.
Venezuela is currently being shaken by a serious political crisis. Since a failed uprising by members of the National Guard on Monday go against government opponents against Maduro on the street, on Wednesday, Parliament President Juan Gaidó declared interim president.
After the United States Solidarity Note for his opponent Guaidó, Maduro had broken diplomatic relations with the United States. He announced that he would withdraw the staff from Venezuelan missions from the US: On Saturday, embassy and consulate employees would have left the United States, Maduro said in a speech to the Caracas Supreme Court.
Gaido, on the other hand, asked the US for humanitarian assistance: He asked for food, medicine and medical supplies, he wrote to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The posting of a hospital ship is desirable. Pompeo had previously promised relief supplies as soon as logistically possible.
After the federal government demanded free elections in Venezuela, Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) clearly sided with the self-proclaimed counter-president Juan Gaidó: "We are not neutral on this issue, but we support what Guaidó is doing there," he said the German wave.
Pope Francis, who traveled to Panama for World Youth Day, informed Vatican interim spokesman Allesandro Gisotti that he was "following the events in Venezuela very closely, praying" for the victims and for all Venezuelans. "A statement later read:" The Holy See supports all efforts so that no further suffering is imposed on the population. "