Venezuelan military attache in the United States rebels against Nicolás Maduro's regime and recognizes Juan Guaidó as interim president

Division within the Venezuelan Armed Forces is becoming deeper. After a group of rebel soldiers in Nicolás Maduro's regime last week, Venezuela's military attache to the United States, Colonel José Luis Silvahe joined this initiative, He broke off relations with Chavez and recognized Juan Guaidó as interim president.

He further argued that recognizes Juan Guaidó as "the true president of Venezuela by law".

The military attache of Venezuela to the United States took this position after receiving the order from Maduro to return to the country after breaking off diplomatic and political relations with Washington. The same position was adopted by other officials of the Venezuelan delegation.

Guaidó himself revealed Friday during an event in Caracas that he had received a call from a diplomatic official asking him to express his support and that he would not comply. at the order of Maduro.

Silva, however, acknowledged that despite the rebellion against the dictator, there is fear of what could happen to the relatives of Venezuelan diplomats: "A large percentage of diplomats do not agree with Maduro's usurpation, but there is still fear of what may happen to the Venezuelan family and the uncertainty of what could happen to them in a foreign country. "

The colonel said that many of the serving military in Venezuela had the same fears.

After a week of demonstrations and repression in which at least 29 people were killed by the violence of Chavez's forces, Silva sent a direct message to the National Guard: "My message is aimed at all soldiers, all those who carry weapons, please do not attack the people. We also belong to the people and it is good to continue to support a government that has betrayed the most basic principles and has been sold to the interests of other countries. "

Venezuelan Colonel accused Maduro and the dome of Chavista to have enriched "to the detriment of the people".

"Captains, commanders: remember all those who suffer, do not forget that your women do not receive milk for their children, do not forget that your parents do not receive drugs to relieve their stress ", he added.

In addition, in a video published by the Venezuelan journalist Ibéyise Pacheco, the colonel also called for a process of transition and the realization of free elections.

David Smolansky, mayor of El Hatillo exiled by an arrest warrant against him, celebrated the decision of Silva. "Colonel, you have taken an institutional step that will inspire many others to continue the transition," noted via Twitter.

Silva's statements came a few days after the military uprising in Cotiza, where members of the GNB spoke out against the Maduro regime.

From a command of the Bolivarian police, the uniforms called on their peers and the population to demonstrate against the Chavist dictatorship.

In the days that followed, thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of the country to protest and demand the exit of Maduro, while Guaidó was proclaimed acting president of the country before the usurpation of the post of dictator. of the international community.