Venezuela crisis: Opposition 'has met military', says Juan Guaidó

Members of the Bolivarian National Police stand guard near "Dr. JM de los Rios" Children's Hospital in Caracas, during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro and in demand of humanitarian aid, called by opposition leader Juan Guaido, on January 30, 2019. PHOTO | FEDERICO PARRA | AFP

What you need to know:

  • About three million people have fled Venezuela amid acute economic problems, and there has been an upsurge in violence in recent weeks.

  • Venezuela's Supreme Court has banned the opposition leader from leaving the country, however, and frozen his bank accounts.

MONTEVIDEO

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting President Nicolás Maduro.

Mr Guaidó declared himself interim president earlier this month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries.

Major powers Russia and China back Mr Maduro and military support is seen as crucial to his hold on power.

The crisis comes as Mr Maduro began a second term after controversial polls. Many opposition candidates were barred from running or jailed.

About three million people have fled Venezuela amid acute economic problems, and there has been an upsurge in violence in recent weeks.

FREEDOM

US President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday that he had spoken to Mr Guaidó and supported his "historic assumption of the presidency", writing in a second tweet that "The fight for freedom has begun!"

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt meanwhile is expected to urge EU nations to impose sanctions on key figures in Mr Maduro's government on Thursday, after also speaking to Mr Guaidó on Wednesday.

"We have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces," Mr Guaidó writes in the New York Times article.

"The military's withdrawal of support from Mr Maduro is crucial to enabling a change in government, and the majority of those in service agree that the country's recent travails are untenable."

AMNESTY

The article also says the opposition has offered an amnesty to armed forces "found not guilty of crimes against humanity".

As head of Venezuela's National Assembly, Mr Guaidó says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has banned the opposition leader from leaving the country, however, and frozen his bank accounts.

Mr Guaidó's piece comes the same day as fresh protests began against Mr Maduro.

Venezuela's president earlier told Russian news agency RIA he was prepared to hold talks with the opposition "so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela".

He added that he was not prepared to accept ultimatums or blackmail, and insisted that he has the backing of Venezuela's military, accusing deserters of conspiring to plot a coup.