The widespread protests against Nicolas Maduro’s brutal socialist regime turned violent Tuesday, when an armored vehicle controlled by Venezuela’s military plowed into a crowd of demonstrators.
“Emboldened supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido brutally clashed with Venezuelan security forces as dramatic footage from Caracas showed a military armored vehicle plowing into the crowd,” reports Fox News.
“The armed forces have taken the right decision,” Oppositon leader Juan Guaido said Tuesday after reports that some members of the military were defecting from the regime. “With the support of the Venezuelan people and the backing of our constitution, they are on the right side of history.”
Venezuela's opposition leader has called for a nationwide uprising against president Nicolás Maduro. As crowds gathered in the streets of the capital Caracas, government tanks ran over protesters. https://t.co/rAlnLttXus pic.twitter.com/IL7CtQrbuo
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) April 30, 2019
VENEZUELA UPRISING: Maduro ‘On the Brink’ as Demonstrators Take to the Streets
Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro appeared on the brink Wednesday morning, with thousands of citizens taking to the streets in support of the nation’s opposition party after years of economic collapse.
“Venezuela’s re-invigorated opposition faces a crucial test Wednesday as it seeks to fill streets nationwide with protesters in an appeal to the military and the poor to shift loyalties that until recently looked solidly behind President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government,” writes the Associated Press.
“The protests have been called to coincide with a historic date for Venezuelans — the anniversary of the 1958 coup that overthrew military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Government supporters are also expected to march in downtown Caracas in a rival show of strength,” adds the article.
Cracks in Maduro’s brutal regime appeared towards the end of last week when a rogue National Guard unit defected; prompting Vice President Mike Pence to send a direct message to the Venezuelan people.
“We stand with you until Democracy is restored,” said Pence.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CARACAS UPRISING: Maduro Says ‘Military Traitors’ Attempting a Coup in Venezuela’s Capital
Venezuela’s socialist government confirmed Tuesday that a group of “military traitors” were actively attempting to overthrow Nicolas Maduro’s regime in Caracas; saying opposition leader Juan Guaido is currently in the capital surrounded by a group of “men in uniform.”
The President of Colombia threw his full support behind Guado hours after violence erupted just miles from Maduro’s residence; saying “We call the military and the people of #Venezuela to be on the right side of history, rejecting the dictatorship and usurpation of Maduro; uniting in search of freedom, democracy and institutional reconstruction, headed by @AsambleaVE and the President @jguaido.”
Hacemos llamado a militares y al pueblo de #Venezuela para que se ubiquen del lado correcto de la historia, rechazando dictadura y usurpación de Maduro; uniéndose en búsqueda de libertad, democracia y reconstrucción institucional, en cabeza de @AsambleaVE y el Presidente @jguaido
— Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) April 30, 2019
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.