Donald Trump has pleaded with Venezuela’s military to support opposition leader Juan Guaido and issued a dire warning if they continue to stand with president Nicolas Maduro’s governmen
By Zeke Miller, Associated Press
February 19 2019 2:23 AM
Donald Trump has pleaded with Venezuela’s military to support opposition leader Juan Guaido and issued a dire warning if they continue to stand with president Nicolas Maduro’s government.
“You will find no safe harbour, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything,” Mr Trump said in a speech at Florida International University in Miami before large American and Venezuelan flags.
The US president added: “We seek a peaceful transition of power, but all options are open.”
Who is the commander of the armed forces, Donald Trump from Miami?
Nicolas Maduro
The Venezuelan military could play a decisive role in the stalemate but has largely remained loyal to Mr Maduro.
In remarks broadcast on state television, Mr Maduro accused Mr Trump of speaking in an “almost Nazi style” and lashed out at his counterpart for thinking he can deliver orders to Venezuela’s military.
“Who is the commander of the armed forces, Donald Trump from Miami?” Mr Maduro said. “They think they’re the owners of the country.”
Mr Trump said “a new day is coming in Latin America,” as he sought to rally support among the largest Venezuelan community in the US for Mr Guaido.
The US recognises him as the country’s rightful president and condemns Mr Maduro’s government and its socialist policies.
As the months-long political crisis stretched on, the military has blocked the US from moving tons of humanitarian aid airlifted in recent days to the Colombian border with Venezuela.
The aid shipments have been meant in part to dramatise the hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine that are gripping Venezuela.
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