CARACAS, May 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said that backers who had pledged support for his abortive uprising last week had “failed to follow through” to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro.
But that “doesn’t mean that they won’t do it soon,” Guaido said in an interview.
Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said it was “obvious today, there is widespread discontent from which the armed forces aren’t immune.”
“There have been discussions… with civil and military officials who are ready to take the side of our constitution,” he said.
“I’m very optimistic given that we are very close to achieving change in Venezuela.”
The 35-year-old National Assembly chief has branded Maduro a usurper over his controversial re-election last year, and in January declared himself acting president, plunging Venezuela into a political crisis that deepened its already grave economic woes.
But Maduro has held firm, bolstered by the continued support of the powerful armed forces.
Guaido, however, expressed the hope that the army would eventually come on board.
The attempted uprising set off two days of violent clashes between security forces and protesters that left five people dead, dozens injured and more than 233 arrested.
Authorities have also issued 18 arrest warrants against “civilians and military plotters,” according to Attorney General Tarek William Saab.
Guaido has tried to keep up the pressure with massive street protests, but his latest call for demonstrations on Saturday drew only several hundred people.
As major world powers have been drawn in, the US has thrown its support behind Guaido, while China and Russia have backed Maduro. — NNN-AGENCIES
