Clashes between anti-government protesters and law enforcement officers erupted in Caracas on Tuesday after the Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, appeared alongside soldiers at a military base and called for the population to rise up against the president, Nicolás Maduro
Video and photos showed at least one instance where an armored vehicle rammed protesters. It was not immediately clear how many people were injured. El Universal newspaper said that at least 37 people had been injured across Caracas.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido urged Venezuelans to take to the streets on Tuesday as he announced that the final phase of the operation to topple President Nicolás Maduro is underway.
However Venezuelan authorities say they are putting down a small coup attempt after opposition leader Juan Guaidó announced he was in the “final phase” of ending President Nicolás Maduro’s rule.
The Trump administration, which has backed Mr. Guaidó since he first declared himself interim president in January, expressed immediate support for his latest move. President Trump tweeted, “The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!”
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The countries that support Guaido and the opposition:
Brazil: The country’s far-right President, Jair Bolsonaro, tweeted his support for Guaidó and “the freedom of Venezuelans.”
Colombia President Ivan Duque tweeted Tuesday: “We call on the military and the people of Venezuela to be on the right side of history, rejecting dictatorship and usurpation of Maduro; joining together in search of freedom, democracy and institutional reconstruction headed by @AsambleaVE and the President @jguaido.”
Ecuador: The country’s Foreign Minister José Valencia tweeted: “The Government of Ecuador renews its strong support to President Juan Guaidó in the difficult times that Venezuela is going through. We wish for a peaceful transition without bloodshed. We will support all international efforts in that regard.”
Meanwhile, Cuban and Russian officials have rejected the opposition. And Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he retains his neutral position on Venezuela.
