#174
#175

Just saw the jeep video. Really wish I hadn’t. Awful.

Would really advise anyone who could be triggered to avoid any tweets with “Venezuela’s Tiannamen Square” (or something similar) in them, as the videos seem to widespread

#176

Summary of today’s events

  • opposition leader Juan Guaido has called for a military uprising
  • president Nicolas Maduro has claimed that the military continue to back him
  • the US has declared support for Guaido’s actions, and said this may come in both economic and military form
  • opposition stalwart Leopoldo Lopez appeared in public after 5 years of house arrest before seeking refuge in the Chilean embassy.
  • protests against Maduro have been reported in 22 of the nation’s 24 states
  • Guaido and his supporters attempted to reach the city center of Caracas, the symbolic stronghold of the government, but were blocked even before leaving the eastern district of Chacao
  • dozens of people have been injured by rubber bullets, tear gas and live ammunition

While the situation remains unclear, it looks like the attempted coup has failed (for now).

#177

Update

President Nicolas Maduro has held on to power in Venezuela after surviving the boldest attempt yet by the opposition to topple his regime.

It is now clear both sides lack a strong grasp on their support base within the armed forces. Equally problematic is the position of the US government, which has imposed sanctions on Maduro’s government and has backed Guaido, and seemed to have expected the opposition leader was finally going to assume power yesterday.

With Maduro still in control of the streets, highways, airwaves and Internet, the immediate future for Guaido’s push is uncertain.

#178

do we have estimates for how many military defections there actually were? the guardian were saying there were 200 who fled and massed on the colombian border (they “declined to wear their uniforms” out of “fear of reprisal”, which is a bit :thinking::thinking::thinking:)

#179

Military defections have been going on for months, with hundreds of soldiers fleeing to Colombia. Yesterday there was some expectation in the Guaido camp that those soldiers would return to Venezuela, to boost his chances of taking over control of the country. That didn’t happen in the end.

Until there are breaks among the higher ranks such defections are likely to have little effect on Maduro’s position.

#180

i think they’re right not to get behind guaido, he’s in over his head imo. that lopez guy somehow evaded house arrest, i wonder if his security detail have flipped then.

#181

Leopoldo Lopez told a Reuters reporter yesterday that intelligence agents had allowed him to leave his house.

After attending a series of rallies across Caracas, Lopez and his family first entered Chile’s diplomatic residence, then moved to the Spanish embassy.

The government has so far not commented on whether it would seek to re-arrest Lopez for breaking his house arrest.

#182

If anyone wants an idea of what the US is planning for Venezuela, then they could do worse than look at how the US-backed government in Honduras is doing:

#183

or look at syria

#184

ahhh that makes sense then.

it is amazing they’ve given lopez and guaido such room to operate and incite unrest. strangest totalitarian dictatorship i’ve ever heard of.

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#185

As I said in my update this morning, both leaders lack full control over the security forces. As a result Maduro can’t suppress Guaido’s popular support, but likewise, Guaido can’t overturn Maduro’s government.

Both Maduro and Guaidó have called for rival mass protests later today.

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#186

aye, i saw that. surely a recipe for disaster (hopefully not) having two crowds of extremely scared and pissed off people marching at the same time

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#187

“our part of the world”

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#188

Why’s adybongo posting like he’s a roving reporter just on the scene in this thread?

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#189

Today’s developments

While there have been some reports of clashes between protesters and the security forces, widespread violence appears to have been avoided today.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Caracas today, responding to a call by Guaidó to intensify efforts to oust the Maduro government a day after his unsuccessful bid to incite a military uprising.

A pro-government rally next to Miraflores, the presidential palace, drew about 500 people, far fewer than the multiple rallies of thousands of people supporting Guaidó.

The ongoing unrest has forced the cancellation of several international flights to and from the country’s main airport.

#190
#191

At least two people were killed and dozens were injured in violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces yesterday. Guaido had asked his supporters to demonstrate at 14 different points across Caracas. The crowds paled in comparison with the mega rallies earlier this year. Hundreds of national guardsmen blocked highways and major arteries. It looks like the latest uprising has fizzled out.

And so Venezuela settles back into its strange status quo, with the armed forces sticking by Maduro, and the US government standing by Guaido, the opposition leader more than 50 countries recognise as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

#192

i don’t understand why this matters.

edit: i understand why people think it should matter but they’re wrong and bad and racist.

#193

Also suggests that approx 3/4 of the countries dont?

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