CGTN America
Opposition leader and self-proclaimed “acting president” Juan Guaido, arrives at Venezuela’s Central University (UCV) in Caracas to present his government’s plan on January 31, 2019. – Venezuela’s self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido ruled out the possibility of civil war in his country, saying the overwhelming majority of his compatriots wanted Nicolas Maduro to step down. In an interview to Spain’s El Pais newspaper published Thursday, Guaido repeated an appeal to Venezuela’s armed forces to take his side. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO / AFP)
Venezuela’s self-declared Interim President Juan Guaido is trying to build more support at home and abroad. The National Assembly leader spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday and his representative met with congressional leaders in Washington, DC.
Meanwhile, in a non-binding resolution, the European Parliament voted to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim leader until new elections are held.
CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.
Guaido published an op-ed in the New York Times saying he had been secretly meeting with Venezuela’s military leaders.
It read in part:
“The transition will require support from key military contingents. We have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces. We have offered amnesty to all those who are found not guilty of crimes against humanity.”
Read Guaido’s New York Times Op-Ed here.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned that any U.S. military action against his government would result in a quagmire similar to the U.S. war in Vietnam in the 1960s.
“I ask for respect for Venezuela, and I ask for support from the people of the United States so there is not a new Vietnam, and less here in our America. I ask for peace. I ask for respect, and I am sure we are going on the historic path because we are on the right side of history,” Maduro said.
Russia warned the U.S. to stop meddling in Venezuela’s affairs.
“We see how ‘western sponsors’ publicly encourage a destructive stance by all means, it seems that there are no more boundaries for Washington: neither international and economical nor moral, unfortunately,” said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
China is pushing for more negotiations to resolve Venezuela’s political problems.
“We have repeatedly called on all parties to promote a political solution on the Venezuelan issue through peaceful dialogue as soon as possible. This is the result that all parties hope to see. China is willing to make concerted efforts with all parties to this end,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang.
