Venezuela’s Air Force general defects from Maduro’s administration

cde.news desk 2 February 2019, 17:13 · 1 min read

epa07325959 A handout photo made availalbe by the Miraflores Press, shows the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro (C), and Venezuelan Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino (R), during military exercises at Fort Paramacay, in Carabobo, Venezuela, 27 January 2019. Maduro led on Sunday military maneuvers with soldiers, as the opposition went to barracks to deliver to the uniformed of the country the text of a law with which they seek to get them to disown the president. EPA-EFE/MIRAFLORES PRESS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

A Venezuelan air force general has defected from the administration of President Nicolas Maduro and called on his compatriots to participate in protests against the socialist leader’s rule.

General Francisco Yanez is the first high ranking officer to leave Mr Maduro’s government since January 23, when National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself the country’s legitimate leader.

In a YouTube video, Gen Yanez said: “The transition to democracy is imminent.”

Via Press Association

Topics Venezuela