Update 3:37 p.m.: Forces are advancing to the presidential palace.
https://twitter.com/NewsBreaking/status/1123308251477504000
Update 3:00 p.m.: Ambassador John Bolton speaks on Venezuela.
.@AmbJohnBolton names leaders in Maduro regime "who have been talking to the opposition over the last three months," giving "commitments to achieve the peaceful transfer of power from the Maduro clique to interim president Juan Guaido." https://t.co/n9mM2mQoOE #OperacionLibertad
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) April 30, 2019
He praises the “act of bravery” from Guaidó.
"This is an act of bravery by Guaido and others," @AmbJohnBolton says at a press conference on Venezuela. "If this effort fails, they will sink into a dictatorship from which there are very few alternatives." Ouch. #AllOrNothing #OperacionLibertad
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) April 30, 2019
And one more important thing: This is “clearly NOT a coup.”
NEW: "This is clearly not a coup. We recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim-president of Venezuela," White House national security adviser John Bolton says.
"It's not a coup for Juan Guaido to try and take command of the Venezuelan military" https://t.co/6eHPFQFqr8 pic.twitter.com/Mr0Gg6Lc10
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 30, 2019
Update 2:55 p.m.: Ex-pats in Colombia want to cross back into Venezuela and fight against Maduro.
Venezuelans at the Colombian border say, by this time tomorrow, "We will have a new president or we’ll have a martyr." #OperacionLibertad https://t.co/GatZEfydLE @PJMedia_com @jguaido @marcorubio @operationbless
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) April 30, 2019
Trump says he’s watching the situation “very closely.”
I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2019
The U.S. can help oust Maduro…
If the US acts in collaboration with Brazil, Colombia and other South American countries we can save Venezuela by ousting Maduro and his Russian and Iranian allies. A huge blow for socialism and a new ally for the US! https://t.co/tC3kAgBj3h
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) April 30, 2019
Update 1:52 p.m.: The battle is ongoing.
Hemos conversado con nuestros aliados de la comunidad internacional y tenemos su respaldo firme a este proceso irreversible de cambio en nuestro país.
La #OperaciónLibertad comenzó y vamos a resistir hasta lograr una Venezuela libre.#TodaVenezuelaALaCalle
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
PragerU has a reminder of how Venezuela got here.
Venezuela is a disaster. A disaster brought to you by socialism. This is always the result. pic.twitter.com/HdE7JWQJOy
— PragerU (@prageru) April 30, 2019
The Daily Mail has some pictures.
PICTURED: Scenes of military uprising in Venezuela https://t.co/OvoxIgzsxn pic.twitter.com/ip5QDy7XI7
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 30, 2019
Update 12:20 p.m.: Kellyanne Conway speaks out.
“We stand with the people of Venezuela and it's time for Maduro to go.” –@KellyannePolls pic.twitter.com/TZ8dYB9Ew4
— GOP (@GOP) April 30, 2019
Update 12:15 p.m.: The battle is still raging.
A pro-Maduro armored vehicle ran over protesters in Caracas, according to this gruesome footage.
#Breaking: Just in – Horrific video of when a Pro Maduro regime force Armoured vehicle ran over protestors in #Caracas the capital of #Venezuela. #OperacionLibertad These contain shocking footages. pic.twitter.com/eRlgqvKl5J
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) April 30, 2019
The entire world just watched a National Guard armored vehicle ram into a crowd of civilian protestors in #Caracas.
How far will leaders of military allow this assault on their own people to go in #Venezuela?
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 30, 2019
I spoke with a missionary on the ground in Colombia and will have a story coming soon.
Update 11:15 a.m.: 2020 Dems are still silent on Venezuela, at least on Twitter…
Big government candidate Jill Stein acts as though Venezuela was in a good place with Maduro and Guaidó will only mess things up.
BREAKING: US regime change attempt #68 taking place NOW in #Venezuela as self-appointed "president" Guaido calls for military coup. Refugees from prior regime change disasters pouring over our borders show how regime change always ends – in social collapse like Honduras & Libya.
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) April 30, 2019
Venezuelans in Colombia pray for military support against Maduro.
Venezolanos en Bogotá hacen una oración para que más militares respalden a @jguaido y lograr el cese de usurpación de @NicolasMaduro #OperacionLibertad pic.twitter.com/jMvmxV6lo8
— Saint Brito (@SaintBrito) April 30, 2019
“We’re making history.”
¡Las calles de Venezuela se siguen llenando de gente y más gente!
Arriba todos los venezolanos que están saliendo a las calles.
Hermanos, estamos haciendo historia. El cese de la usurpación es irreversible.#TodaVenezuelaALaCalle
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
Guaidó reports that 24 states of the country have followed him.
¡El momento es ahora!
Los 24 estados del país han asumido el camino: calle sin retorno. El futuro es de nosotros: pueblo y Fuerza Armada unidos por el cese de la usurpación.
¡Juntos somos invencibles! #TodaVenezuelaALaCalle
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
Update 10:38 a.m.: Maduro is still in hiding, while Guaidó is leading protesters in the streets of Caracas. Who’s acting like the rightful president?
While Maduro is still in hiding Guaido is walking around in Caracas. https://t.co/v0GhJpHnPW
— Michel Spekkers (@spekkers) April 30, 2019
This soldier defected from Maduro but will not follow Guaidó to the death.
#Venezuela 🇻🇪: soldier who defected from the #Maduro regime this morning proclaiming "I will follow Guaido to death". #30Abr #OperacionLibertad pic.twitter.com/snOPOnpffn
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) April 30, 2019
Social media has been largely shut down.
I spoke to @AmbJohnBolton this morning. The situation in #Venezuela is fluid and information is sketchy as social media has been largely shut down.
But the United States stands with the patriots of Venezuela fighting for their life, liberty and sacred honor. #OperaciónLibertad
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 30, 2019
Update 10:32 a.m.: Political prisoner Leopoldo López has been released.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) shared the news. “Great news this morning. Venezuelan political prisoner Leopoldo López has been released! Top Venezuelan military officials have decided to support interim President Guaidó, and the fight for freedom on democracy in [Venezuela]!” Scott tweeted.
Great news this morning. Venezuelan political prisoner Leopoldo López has been released!
Top Venezuelan military officials have decided to support interim President Guaidó, and the fight for freedom on democracy in #Venezuela! #OperaciónLibertad
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 30, 2019
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has attacked the use of the term “coup attempt” for Guaidó’s efforts this morning. PJ Media has changed its headline.
“Just saw [CNN] shamefully call what is happening today in [Venezuela] a ‘coup attempt’ [Guaidó] is recognized as legitimate interim President of [Venezuela] by constitution,over 50 countries & OAS. The only coup is the one carried out by [Cuba] in support of dictator [Maduro],” Rubio tweeted.
Just saw @CNN shamefully call what is happening today in #Venezuela a “coup attempt” @jguaido is recognized as legitimate interim President of #Venezuela by constitution,over 50 countries & OAS.
The only coup is the one carried out by #Cuba in support of dictator #Maduro
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 30, 2019
Update 10:16 a.m.: Maduro has shut down public transit, so protesters are walking to join Guaidó.
Just in: #Maduro shut down the public transit in #Venezuela so the people are walking to the protests organized by @jguaido #OperacionLibertad #SOSVenezuela pic.twitter.com/RaNb7R75sn
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) April 30, 2019
More footage.
#Venezuela 🇻🇪: more footage by @NTN24ve of the gunfire at La Carlota before the masses showed up. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad pic.twitter.com/dCMDmCse88
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) April 30, 2019
Defected soldiers are being welcomed as liberators.
#Venezuela 🇻🇪: defected soldiers being received as liberators by the people at La Carlota. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad pic.twitter.com/iM0MxMLF0Y
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) April 30, 2019
Update 10:07 a.m.: Vice President Mike Pence expressed his support for the opposition leader.
To @jguaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in #operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios! #FreeVenezuela
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 30, 2019
More video of the battle for Venezuela.
Breaking: in #Venezuela – national guards arresting/attacking other national guards #OperacionLibertad pic.twitter.com/LPPOw1k0QH
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) April 30, 2019
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) has been on the front lines of the pro-democracy effort in Venezuela, assisting Guaidó and his supporters. Marion Smith, VOC’s executive director, says these could be socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro’s final moments.
Smith has been in contact with many in Venezuela, including: world-famous violinist Wuilly Arteaga, who was arrested and beaten by Maduro’s officials; and Enrique Altimari, international representative of Primmer Justicia, Venezuela’s largest opposition party. VOC brought Arteaga and Altimari to Washington, D.C. to spread awareness of Maduro’s violence and oppression.
Original story.
On Tuesday morning, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó launched a military uprising against socialist President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced America’s support for the attempt.
Guaidó posted a video on Twitter showing him in front of armed men, defending his call for an uprising by referencing the country’s constitution.
En el marco de nuestra constitución. Y por el cese definitivo de la usurpación. https://t.co/3RD2bnQhxt
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
The opposition leader denounced Maduro’s government as a usurpation. Last May, Maduro won a second six-year term, but international observers slammed the election as a show election, with the lowest voter turnout in recent history. Guaidó has cast the election as unjust, and proclaimed himself the president. The U.S. and many other countries have supported Guaidó, including most of Europe and most of the countries in South America (including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina).
“The national armed forces have made the right decision, they have the support of the Venezuelan people, with the endorsement of our Constitution, with the guarantee of being on the right side of the story. To deploy the forces to achieve the cessation of usurpation,” Guaidó tweeted.
Fuerza Armada Nacional han tomado la decisión correcta, cuentan con el apoyo del pueblo de Venezuela, con el aval de nuestra constitución, con la garantía de estar del lado correcto de la historia. A desplegar las fuerzas para lograr el cese de la usurpación.
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
He rallied to the air base “La Carlota,” rousing the people of Caracas (the capital) to seize the air base.
Pueblo de Venezuela, es necesario que salgamos juntos a la calle, a respaldar a las fuerzas democráticas y a recuperar nuestra libertad. Organizados y juntos movilícense a las principales unidades militares. Pueblo de Caracas, todos a la Carlota.
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) shared a report that the gates of the base have been opened to support Guaidó.
Report says the gates to the Air Base “La Carlota” have been opened so that citizens support Interim President @jguaido can enter the grounds of the base https://t.co/jGWFZFuyjP
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 30, 2019
As the coup began, Pompeo announced his support for the opposition leader.
“Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated,” Pompeo tweeted.
Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated. #EstamosUnidosVE
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) April 30, 2019
The uprising has spread beyond Caracas. Rubio noted that citizens gathered outside of a military base in Maracaibo.
https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1123221449282609152
Here’s a video.
BREAKING: Gunfire in Caracas amid clashes between Venezuelan troops and forces which have joined opposition leader Guaidó pic.twitter.com/LXizDiIkeO
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 30, 2019
Foreign Policy Magazine published an infographic showing which countries support the opposition.
Thanks to @ForeignPolicy Mag for this helpful graphic of which countries support Juan Guaidó in Venezuela against socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro. Read FP Mag's article here: https://t.co/Yn1ltD6IAA #Caracas Operación Libertad pic.twitter.com/gXOdKW9sSv
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) April 30, 2019
This story will be updated.
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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