Senior figures in the Venezuelan army expressed their support to President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday over the announcement of the United States that they will no longer recognize him as the leader of the nation as they back the leader of the President's critics Juan Guaidó.
General and Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said that the country's president is the rightful leader and he condemned his alleged unlawful attempt to wrest power from the socialist regime. He said that everyone saw a reprehensible even as the opposition leader proclaimed himself as a president during a huge street protest in Caracas.
The general added that the president's supporters will help avoid conflict between Venezuelans. He also added that the current situation in Venezuela is not a civil war to solve the nation's problems, instead, it is a dialogue.
Other senior military figures in the Venezuelan military also expressed their support to the president through a video posted on social media and state TV broadcast. The president is the leader of the nation since 2013 he has faced intense criticisms asking him to resign after he started his second term as the nation's elected leader this month during a fraud-claimed election.
Major General Manuel Bernal Matinez, head of the military in the west of the country, protected the president saying that the people of Venezuela elected him in a free and secret vote. Other military leaders and soldiers stepped up to support the president.
The United States Congress regards the opposition leader, Mr. Guaidó as the last hope of democracy in the country. U.S- Allied countries across America turned their back on the elected president and they all showed their support to the opposition. Countries including Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, led by U.S. President Donald Trump united to undermine the Venezuelan president.
The conflict of powers in Venezuela divided world leaders in their views. Other countries including Russia, China, Turkey, and Mexico still support the elected president.
Protest in Venezuela against the Maduro lasted for days. During the hype of the protest, Guaidó declared himself as president. Despite the support of other nations, the opposition is not in control of the vital institutions in the country including the military.
Bolivia's president Evo Morales expressed his support for Maduro in his tweet saying that they are solidly supporting the elected president and he noted that they will never again be under the United States influence.
