Venezuela news: State uses tear gas on protestors as Pompeo threatens US military action
Competing leaders both call for people to take a stand amid violence on the streets of Caracas
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Protestors have taken to the streets in Venezuela in competing demonstrations as the battle for power continues in Caracas and beyond.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido has declared himself the legitimate leader of the country, backed by the US and dozens of other nations, after accusing President Nicolas Maduro of fraudulently keeping his place in office. He has called for mass protests.
Mr Maduro has called the uprising a ‘coup’ and has said that he has subdued the ‘traitors’ in the military who have backed Mr Guaido.
He too has called for his “working class supporters” to take to the streets on Wednesday, which is International Workers’ Day.
Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine
Show all 5US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that the US will take military action in Venezuela “if required” but would prefer a peaceful solution to the crisis.
The Pentagon on Wednesday appeared to downplay any active planning to directly intervene in Venezuela to topple President Nicolas Maduro, telling Congress it had not been given orders to prepare for war and stressing support for diplomacy.
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Asked whether the US military had been given instructions to prepare for a military conflict, perhaps by prepositioning troops, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Kathryn Wheelbarger said: “We of course always review available options and plan for contingencies.”
“But in this case we have not been given (the) sort of orders that you’re discussing, no,” Ms Wheelbarger told the House Armed Services Committee.
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Russia is one of Venezuela's largest international backers. It has sent aid to the country and Rosneft, the Russian oil giant, has poured millions of pounds worth of investment into the country's oil sector.
US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo suggested yesterday during an interview with CNN that Mr Maduro had been ready to board a plane to Cuba yesterday morning - but was talked out of it by Moscow. Mr Maduro later denied the suggestion.
Russia did not take kindly to the comments out of Washington, with Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denouncing the remarks on Wednesday.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, told Reuters they were part of an "information war".
Moscow has previously accused the United States of trying to foment a coup in Venezuela following a line frequently used by Mr Maduro.
As part of such an "information war," the Russian Embassy in London has tweeted remarks blaming the "radical" opposition for "resorting to violence".
Yesterday, amid protesters throwing stones and other projectiles at government-supporting soldiers a military vehicle ran into a group of demonstrators.
Back in Washington, Mike Pompeo has said that the United States was prepared to take military action to stem the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela.
“Military action is possible. If that's what's required, that's what the United States will do,” Mr Pompeo told Fox Business Network, but added that the United States would prefer a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela.
The US, and President Trump, have threatened such action before - but it gains a new dimension given the White House's support of the opposition's actions
The US has been tweeting out parts of that Fox Business interview in Spanish, presumably for consumption in South America.
Excuse my Spanish, but a rough translation is: "'Nerves of steel" have not been shown much today. While Juan Guiadó is talking to the people of Venezuela, in the streets, shaking hands and gathering people to support him, Nicholas Maduro has been hiding "– Secretary Pompeo tells @BretBaier of Fox News
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an order prohibiting U.S. air operators from flying below 26,000 feet in Venezuela's airspace until further notice, citing "increasing political instability and tensions".
The FAA notice said any air operators currently in Venezuela, which would include private jets, should depart within 48 hours.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been tweeting constantly about Venezuela the last few days. The Republican is a stanch supporter of Juan Guaido.
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