The situation at La Carlota airbase in Caracas, the alleged location from which Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called on civilians and the military to act against the government earlier on Tuesday, seems to be calm, a video obtained by Sputnik from the Venezuelan embassy in Moscow revealed
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 30th April, 2019) The situation at La Carlota airbase in Caracas, the alleged location from which Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called on civilians and the military to act against the government earlier on Tuesday, seems to be calm, a video obtained by Sputnik from the Venezuelan embassy in Moscow revealed.No opposition forces have been seen at the base, and there is no movement of military personnel at the scene.
Footage published by opposition broadcaster tv Venezuela earlier in the day suggested that tear gas had been used near La Carlota. The footage showed smoke and people covering their faces with handkerchiefs.
The news came after Guaido urged Venezuela's public and military to take to the streets and help depose President Nicolas Maduro and his government. Guaido added that the military personnel who supported him could expect the people to back them.
Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez said earlier in the day that the country's military "stands firmly in defense of the National Constitution and its legitimate authorities."
At the same time, Venezuelan Minister for Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez said that the authorities were defusing an attempted coup by "treacherous military personnel."
Large-scale protests against Maduro began in Venezuela on January 21 soon after he was sworn in for a new term. Guaido proclaimed himself interim president not long after, and a number of Western countries, including the United States, backed his claim. Maduro has, in turn, accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido and take over Venezuela's natural resources. Russia, China, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
