Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has called on government employees to go on strike from Thursday to force the ouster of embattled president Nicolas Maduro.
Taking to Twitter, Guaido said “staggered industrial action” would begin on Thursday, leading to a general strike.
Guaido made the strike call on Wednesday as his supporters clashed with personnel of the National Guard in the capital Caracas during May Day protests. Personnel of the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas at Guaido supporters as they sought to block a highway close to an airbase in eastern Caracas. Guaido had used the airbase on Tuesday to call for a military uprising against Maduro, triggering what was described as a coup attempt.
Wednesday marked the second day of clashes between Guaido's supporters and security forces. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US military could intervene in Venezuela if required.
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On Tuesday, Maduro had “declared victory” over the coup attempt by Guaido, who had sought the support of the military. Maduro's government had used armoured vehicles to ram through a crowd of Guaido supporters. The attempted coup had gained support from US President Donald Trump. One person was reportedly killed and dozens injured in Tuesday's clashes.