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Military ‘crucial’ to ousting Maduro: Venezuela opposition chief
WASHINGTON, Jan 31, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Support from the Venezuelan military
is “crucial” to efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro, opposition leader
Juan Guaido wrote in The New York Times on Wednesday.
Guaido said that secret meetings had been held with members of the
security forces, and that most of those in uniform agree that the status quo
cannot continue.
“The military’s withdrawal of support from Mr Maduro is crucial to enabling
a change in government, and the majority of those in service agree that the
country’s recent travails are untenable,” Guaido wrote.
“The transition will require support from key military contingents. We
have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the
security forces.”
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders tweeted a link to Guaido’s op-ed
along with the message: “America stands with the people of Venezuela.”
Guaido declared himself interim president last week, arguing that Maduro’s
reelection was illegitimate and that he, as president of the National
Assembly, was constitutionally mandated to step in.
He quickly earned the support of the United States and several Latin
American countries, and six major European nations have told Maduro to call
fresh elections by the weekend or they too will recognize his opponent.
Venezuela — which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves — has
suffered an economic meltdown under Maduro’s leadership, marked by
hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine.
Millions have been left in poverty, while 2.3 million more have fled the
country, unleashing a migration crisis in South America.
BSS/AFP/RY/09:58 hrs