EU is calling for the country to hold fresh elections while the US has already recognised Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, as the country's interim president.
(Reuters)
"Let me reiterate – there will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido," Trump advisor John Bolton tweeted.
Bolton's warning followed a request by the Maduro government's attorney general for the Supreme Court to bar Guaido from leaving the country and to freeze his assets.
That followed the United States' decision to hand control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, barring Maduro from accessing the funds.
Guaido said on Monday that the US maneuver would stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers" if he is removed from office.
Attorney general seeks Guaido probe
Venezuela's attorney general asked the Supreme Court to bar Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed acting president and opposition leader, from leaving the country and to freeze his assets.
Tarek Saab said he had asked the court to open a preliminary investigation against Guaido, and to freeze the opposition leader's accounts.
Saab didn't specify what crimes Guaido is being investigated for.
Defiant Maduro warns US: 'Hands off Venezuela'
A defiant President Nicolas Maduro warned US President Donald Trump to keep his ''hands off Venezuela.''
''And we should tell Donald Trump, don't mess with Venezuela: ''Hands off Venezuela, Donald Trump, hands off Venezuela, de immediately !'' Maduro said in broken English.
In a defiant national broadcast, Maduro said he would take legal action to challenge the US sanctions and defend Citgo Petroleum Corp, PDVSA's US refining subsidiary. He also pledged to retaliate, but did not announce any specific measures.
US, Venezuela envoys trade jibes at UN
Senior US and Venezuelan diplomats traded jibes at a UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament, a day after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on the state-owned oil firm PDVSA in its toughest financial challenge yet to embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela's ambassador Jorge Valero said that the Trump administration was preparing a "military invasion" of his country and questioned whether Washington had the moral authority to "impose a diktat" on Caracas.
Plath walked out of the conference during his comments, then returned.
Guido for amnesty to Maduro, army
Venezuela's self-declared interim president Juan Guaido said President Nicolas Maduro and the armed forces could be granted amnesty, in an interview with CNN.
He said the opposition can achieve a peaceful transition away from President Maduro and eventually free elections, Guaido said.
He also said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump a number of times and, when asked about possible military options in Venezuela, said all options were on the table.
Kremlin calls US sanctions illegal interference
The Kremlin said that US sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company amounted to illegal and open interference in the Latin American country's domestic affairs.
Moscow is assessing the impact on Russia of the sanctions and intends to use all legal mechanisms at its disposable to protect Russia's interests in Venezuela in light of the sanctions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying that the US sanctions imposed on Venezuela's state oil company are illegal and Russia will take all necessary steps to support the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Lavrov said the sanctions amounted to an attempt by the United States to confiscate Venezuelan state assets, Russian news agencies quoted him as saying.
Deaths and arrests over the week
UN Human Rights spokesman says at least 40 people were killed in Venezuela during the past week.
The UN added that more than 850 people were detained in the country, including 696 on January 23, which is the highest number recorded for a single day in 20 year. Monday, January 28 US sanctions Venezuelan state oil firm
US government has announced sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, also known as PDVSA.
"The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline, and will continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support Interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people's efforts to restore their democracy," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
"Today's designation of PdVSA will help prevent further diverting of Venezuela's assets by Maduro and preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela." he said.
TRT World's Juan Carlos Lamas reports.
Guaido calls for fresh protests
Guaido on Monday called for new street demonstrations across the country as army marched in capital Caracas to show support for President Nicolas Maduro.
Guaido said opposition sympathisers should take to the streets of the crisis-hit OPEC nation on Wednesday to pass out copies of a pamphlet proposing amnesty that would give some legal protection to members of the military in hopes they will turn against Maduro.
Protests left 35 dead, 850 arrested – NGO
A week of protests against President Nicolas Maduro has left 35 people dead and 850 detained, a non-governmental organisation said.
"We have the corroborated figure, with first name, surname, place and presumed guilty parties, of 35 people murdered in the context of the protests" since Monday last week, said Rafael Uzcategui, director of the Venezuelan Program for Education-Action in Human Rights.
Pope afraid of 'bloodbath'
Pope Francis said he feared bloodshed in Venezuela but that it was premature for him to take sides because it could cause more damage.
Pope said he was terrified the political crisis enveloping Venezuela would descend into a "bloodbath".
"What am I afraid of? A bloodbath," the first Latin American pontiff told journalists aboard a plane on his return trip from Panama, adding that "the problem of violence terrifies me".
Australia 'recognises' Guaido as new president
Australia "recognises and supports" Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido as interim president until elections are held, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday, following similar endorsements from the US and Canada.
Payne also called for a "transition to democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible" in a statement.
New Zealand refuses to back Guaido
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand will not give official recognition to either side.
"It is not New Zealand's practice to make statements of recognition of governments," Peters was cited as saying in a statement e-mailed by his press office.
"Venezuela needs to decide its future through free and fair elections. This government expressed concerns about Venezuela's elections in 2018, and these concerns remain."
Sunday, January 27
US threats Maduro over diplomats
US National security Advisor John Bolton warned on Sunday of a “significant response” if US diplomats or the opposition leader seeking the ouster of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro are threatened or intimidated.
“Any violence and intimidation against US diplomatic personnel, Venezuela’s democratic leader, Juan Guaido, or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response,” he posted on Twitter.
The warning didn’t address specific groups or individuals, but Bolton noted in a linked tweet that Cuba’s “support and control over Maduro’s security and paramilitary forces” was well known.
Israel recognises Guaido
Israel on Sunday officially recognised Venezuela’s National Assembly chief Juan Guaido as president, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, following close ally Washington in endorsing the opposition leader.
Netanyahu announced in an online video that Israel was joining the United States, Canada and a host of South American countries “in recognising the new leadership in Venezuela”.
Maduro rejects EU ultimatum
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rejected an ultimatum to call a national election within eight days, describing European countries as insolent for making it.
In an interview with Turkish broadcaster CNN Turk aired on Sunday and dubbed into Turkish from Spanish, Maduro also said opposition leader Juan Guaido had violated the constitution by declaring himself leader.
Maduro also said he was open to dialogue, and that a meeting with US President Donald Trump, while improbable, was not impossible.
TRT World's Shamim Chowdhury has more.
Saturday, January 26
UK, France, Germany and Spain said on Saturday they would give Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro eight days to call elections in the south American country or they would recognise Juan Guaido as interim leader in charge of calling an election.
“The government of Spain gives Nicolas Maduro eight days to call free, transparent and democratic elections. If that doesn’t happen, Spain will recognise Juan Guaido as interim president in charge of calling these elections,” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a statement.
Similar declarations were made by UK, Germany and France.
Friday, January 25
Controversial GOP veteran to 'restore democracy'
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday tapped Elliot Abrams, a central figure in Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America, as a new envoy to "restore democracy" in Venezuela.
Pompeo announced the appointment of Abrams two days after Washington declared President Nicolas Maduro to be illegitimate and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president.
Pompeo said Abrams will "help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country."
Abrams under Reagan channelled generous US support to anti-communist forces in Nicaragua and El Salvador. He initially dismissed the massacre of nearly 1,000 civilians by the Salvadoran army at El Mozote in 1981.
He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour counts during the Iran-Contra scandal.
Maduro ready to meet Guaido
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday that he was ready to meet presidency rival Juan Guaido.
But Maduro's offer for talks was promptly rejected by Guaido.
Addressing a news conference, he said that Venezuelan armed forces have promised to protect his legitimate government.
Guaido claims international support
Guaido, who has proclaimed himself interim president with US support, says there is a strong international support for his interim government.
Addressing a rally in Caracas, he said that President Nicolas Maduro has to leave, adding it would happen with international support.
UN rights boss calls for independent investigation into deaths
The United Nations human rights boss Michelle Bachelet calls for an independent investigation into alleged excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces, citing reports of 20 people killed and more than 350 detained in protests this week.
"I am extremely concerned that the situation in Venezuela may rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences", Bachelet, a former president of Chile, said in a statement urging political leaders to hold talks to defuse the situation.
Thursday, January 24
Military backs Maduro
Venezuela's powerful military threw its weight behind Maduro on Thursday as US-backed Guaido pressed a direct challenge to his authority, and the fate of the crisis-wracked country hung in the balance with the death toll from days of street protests jumping to 26.
Washington seeks to cut Maduro's revenue
US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said the White House is focused on disconnecting Maduro from his sources of revenue.
"We think consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government. It’s very complicated," Bolton told reporters at the White House.
Maduro hails support of Turkey, Russia and China
Venezuela’s president expressed his gratitude to Turkey, Russia and China on Thursday for their support after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself “interim president”.
"I thank Russia, China, Turkey and other governments and people of the world for their strong support of the legitimately established government of Venezuela," Nicolas Maduro said in a Twitter post.
"Venezuela is not alone!" he added.
Guaido would consider granting Maduro amnesty
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he would consider granting amnesty to President Nicolas Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.
Guaido gave his first public comments to Univision on Thursday since declaring himself interim president of Venezuela. Guaido's comments are part of a soon-to-be aired interview that was published on Univision's website.
The National Assembly leader says that amnesty is on the table for anybody willing to help return Venezuela to constitutional order.
Germany backs National Assembly
The German government called for democratic new elections in Venezuela, saying it stood with the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
"With regard to #Venezuela, we are not neutral," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter. "We support the National Assembly, which is elected by the people. Maduro has no democratic legitimacy as President."
US orders non-essential staff out
The US ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Venezuela but stopped short of complying with a full expulsion ordered by Maduro, who Washington says is no longer president.
The state department in a notice said it had "ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart Venezuela."
"The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela," it said.
US citizens should "strongly consider" leaving Venezuela, the state department, said.
Venezuela to shut US embassy
Venezuela will close its embassy and all consulates in the United States, Maduro said on Thursday, one day after he broke off diplomatic relations in response to US recognition of an opposition leader as interim president.
In a speech, Maduro added that he agreed with a call by Mexico and Uruguay for dialogue between Venezuela’s government and the opposition for a resolution to the South American country’s political crisis.
TRT World's
Jon Brain reports from Washington.
Putin calls Maduro
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro and expressed support, the Kremlin said.
“The President of Russia expressed support for the legitimate authorities of Venezuela in the context of a domestic political crisis that has been provoked from the outside,” it said.
Pompeo warns Maduro
Pompeo on Thursday warned Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro against use of force on mass demonstrations as he urged further international support for the self-declared acting president.
“The time for debate is done. The regime of former president Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate,” Pompeo told the Organization for American States at a special meeting at its Washington headquarters.
His speech was interrupted by a pro-Maduro protester.
But we must learn the lessons of the past and not be in the business of regime change or supporting coups—as we have in Chile, Guatemala, Brazil & the DR. The US has a long history of inappropriately intervening in Latin American nations; we must not go down that road again. 3/3— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 24, 2019
Trump comments on Venezuela are 'shocking' – Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that he believed the people of Venezuela would continue to support President Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Maltese counterpart in Ankara, Erdogan said he found US President Donald Trump’s comments on Venezuela shocking and added that democracies needed to respect election results.
Maduro is 'legitimate president'
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Thursday that Nicolas Maduro was the country’s “legitimate president” and that the opposition was carrying out a coup.
Padrino said the United States and other governments were carrying out an economic war against Venezuela, an OPEC nation with the world’s largest crude reserves.
Maduro must go – senior EU lawmaker
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro must step down and allow the country's congress to lead the country back to democracy, one of the European Parliament's most senior lawmakers said on Thursday, taking a tougher stance than EU foreign ministers.
"President Maduro has lost any legitimacy to lead his country. He needs to step aside," David McAllister, a German conservative who chairs the parliament's foreign affairs committee, said in a statement.
Iran throws its support behind Maduro
"Iran opposes all foreign interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs," Bahram Qasemi, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, said in a statement.
Qasemi voiced hope that Venezuela's internal political disputes might be resolved "by its people and government."
(Reuters)
In a tweet on Thursday in French and Spanish, Macron added his own voice to the European Union’s declared support for the restoration of democracy.
Macron said that he "salutes the courage of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans marching for their liberty."
Spain backs Venezuela parliament, calls for free vote
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Guaido in a phone call on Thursday that he supported the legitimacy of the Venezuelan Parliament and called for free elections, in line with the European Union's position.
The Spanish leader acknowledged Guaido's "courage with which he has been handling the situation," a government spokesman said.
China opposes outside interference
China said it opposes outside interference in Venezuela and supports its efforts to protect its independence and stability.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called for all sides to calmly and reasonably find a peaceful solution.
"China supports efforts made by the Venezuelan government to protect the country's sovereignty, independence and stability," Hua told a regular briefing in Beijing.
"... I want to emphasize that outside sanctions or interference usually make the situation more complicated and are not helpful to resolving the actual problems."
EU says protests 'cannot be ignored'
The European Union called for Venezuela authorities to respect the "civil rights, freedom and safety" of opposition leader Juan Guaido but stopped short of following Washington and recognising him as interim president.
"On 23 January, the people of Venezuela have massively called for democracy and the possibility to freely determine their own destiny. These voices cannot be ignored," the 28 countries of the bloc said in a joint statement.
"The Venezuelan people have the right to peacefully demonstrate, to freely choose its leaders and decide its future."
Russia warns US against military intervention
Russia warned the United States not to intervene militarily in Venezuela, saying such a move would trigger a catastrophic scenario, the Interfax news agency cited the deputy foreign minister as saying.
Interfax cited Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, as saying Moscow would stand with Venezuela to protect its sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in its domestic affairs.
Avert 'disaster' – UN head appeals
UN chief Antonio Guterres appealed for dialogue in Venezuela to avoid the political crisis spiralling out of control, after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president."
"What we hope is that dialogue can be possible, and that we avoid an escalation that would lead to the kind of conflict that would be a disaster for the people of Venezuela and for the region," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"Sovereign governments have the possibility to decide whatever they want," the UN secretary-general said on a Facebook Live broadcast from Davos.
"What we are worried [about] with the situation in Venezuela is the suffering of the people of Venezuela," he said.
#WeareMADURO
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced solidarity with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro early on Thursday.
"We are with you," Erdogan told Maduro in a telephone call, Turkey's presidential aide Ibrahim Kalin shared on Twitter, ending his tweet with #WeareMADURO.
Russia slams 'western' interference' in Venezuela
The Russian foreign ministry criticised western interference in Venezuela's internal affairs, saying "The developments in Venezuela show very well how progressive western society really treats international law, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of other states, by picking the government there [in Venezuela]."
Russian lawmaker Franz Klinzevich also warned Moscow could wind up its military cooperation with Venezuela if Maduro, whom he called the legitimately elected president, was ousted.
Wednesday, January 23
US calls for army intervention
A US state department statement called on Venezuela's army to act against Maduro's government
Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino hit back saying the armed forces did not recognise Guaido's authority.
"The nation's soldiers don't accept a president imposed by obscure interests, nor one self-proclaimed outside of the law," said Padrino on Twitter.
Maduro lacks 'authority' to sever ties with US
United States rejected a move by Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to break diplomatic ties, saying it did not think he had the authority to cut ties and it would conduct relations with a government led by opposition leader Juan Guaido.
'Get out! Leave Venezuela'
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced he was breaking off diplomatic ties with the US after Donald Trump recognised Juan Guaido as the "interim president."
"I've decided to break diplomatic and political relations with the imperialist government of the US," Maduro told thousands of supporters in the capital Caracas.
"Get out! Leave Venezuela, here there's dignity, damn it," he said, giving the US delegation 72 hours to quit the country.
Pro and anti-Maduro recognitions
Most Latin American nations on Wednesday recognised the 35-year-old leader of Venezuela's opposition-dominated National Assembly as interim president as did the US and Canada.
Longstanding leftist allies Bolivia and Cuba were the only countries in the region to explicitly voice support for Maduro as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru backed Guaido.
Mexico also said it backs Maduro's rule and it would not take sides, branding support for Guaido a violation of sovereignty.
Turkey also offered support in a phone call to Maduro.
Juan Guaido declares himself president
Juan Guaido, during a rally against President Maduro's government in Caracas, declared himself interim president, calling for free elections to end Maduro's presidency.
Massive rallies
Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas to hold rival protests.
Tuesday, January 22
US trying to force a coup
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused US Vice President Mike Pence of forcing a coup in his country.
"Never before has a high-level official said that the opposition should overthrow the government," Maduro said.
'Hola, I'm Mike Pence'
US Vice President Mike Pence issued a video message of support to Venezuelans opposing Maduro's rule.
"On behalf of President Donald Trump and all the American people, let me express the unwavering support of the United States as you, the people of Venezuela, raise your voices in a call for freedom," Pence said after offering a greeting of "hola," which means "hello" in Spanish.
"Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He has never won the presidency in a free and fair election, and has maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him."Source: trtworld.com
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