Venezuela's President Maduro has declared victory over the coup that broke out on Tuesday. The win as claimed by Maduro comes with his armoured cars ramming through a crowd of anti-regime protesters.
Demonstrators clashed with police on the streets of the Venezuelan capital of Carcas on Tuesday, spurred by opposition leader Juan Guaido's call on the military to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro. The attempted coup had gained support from US President Trump.
Tuesday evening, Maduro declared victory over the uprising. He also congratulated the armed forces for having “defeated this small group that intended to spread violence through putschist skirmishes.” “This will not go unpunished,” Maduro said in an address broadcast on television and the radio. “Will launch criminal prosecutions for the serious crimes that have been committed against the constitution, the rule of law and the right to peace,” he added.
Guaido carefully planned an attempt to demonstrate growing military support disintegrated into rioting as palls of black smoke rose over eastern Caracas. Donald Trump reiterated his government’s support for the attempted coup.
“I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!” he wrote on Twitter.
Trump threatened a “full and complete embargo” and tougher sanctions against Cuba if it doesn't end military support for Venezuela.
He rallied his supporters with an early morning video message that showed him — for the first time — with armed troops he said had heeded months of urging to join his campaign to oust Maduro.
Maduro, however called on his forces to show “nerves of steel” and troops in riot gear, backed by armoured vehicles and water tankers, lined up against the demonstrators.
“Today is the day Maduro resigns. Today is the day all the country's drug dealers resign,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the media. He also said, that, he believed Maduro was ready to flee the country to ally Cuba before he was dissuaded by Russia. Maduro later refuted the claim.
Moscow, accused Guaido of “fuelling conflict” in the oil-rich country.
Pro- and anti-Maduro demonstrations were held outside the Venezuelan embassies in several Latin American and European capitals.
Maduro government suspended broadcasts from BBC Mundo, CNN International and a Caracas radio station, local media said the National Union of Press Workers.