Coup In Venezuela As Opposition Leader Launches Operation Oust President Maduro

The Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó on Tuesday said he was launching a military-backed operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro.

He gathered with supporters in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, where a firefight broke out between his supporters and soldiers loyal to Maduro.

According to thisisinsider.com, Guaidó says he has acquired the support of the military, which has historically backed Maduro — the extent of support for Guaidó is unclear.

Guaidó has been in a tug-of-war with Maduro since declaring himself the legitimate interim president in January.

The US, the UK, and other international allies have restated their support for Guaidó, whom they recognize as Venezuela’s leader.

Consequently, Guaidó declared a military coup against the government of President Nicolás Maduro, sparking a confrontation that escalated into an armed conflict.

In a message to supporters online, Guaidó announced the beginning of what he called “Operation Liberty” and called for supporters to rally at a military air base in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

Reporters for the news agency Reuters reported that the gathering at the military air base — called La Carlota — came under fire Tuesday morning and shot back. Reuters said both sides appeared to be using live rounds.

Part of the clash can be seen in this video, broadcast by the Latin American TV channel NTN24. A noise that sounds like gunfire can be heard:

Meanwhile, Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has tweeted support for the uprising, saying the Venezuelan people are “enslaved by a dictator.”

He said Brazil supports “freedom for our sister nation to finally become a true democracy.”