Maduro ordered the army to prepare to "defend Venezuela from an attack by the United States"

The armed forces are at the center of the conflict of power between Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó in Venezuela. While the opposition leader calls his supporters to head to the barracks, the chavist leader is leading this Saturday military exercises.

Accompanied by the high command and thousands of soldiers, Maduro asked them to be "ready to defend the country with weapons in hand if the American empire dares to touch this country".

"Unity, cohesion, discipline, obedience, subordination and supreme loyalty to the Constitution, the country, the revolution and to the right commander-in-chief "asked the president in front of about 5,300 people in uniform, most of the cadets.

Since the training center located in the state of Cojedes, in the northwestern center of the country, he also sent a message to the opposition: "A handful of traitors sold to the interests of the United States, will not affect the military honor of the motherland. "

"Our armed forces are deeply committed to the protection of the population, the defense of national sovereignty and the constitution; is an institution of morals and lights, "he tweeted next to an image accompanied by a uniform.

The fight for control of the military command line He experienced a new chapter of tension when on Tuesday a group of soldiers rebelled, released opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and urged his fellow gunmen to ignore Nicolás Maduro.

Since the failure of the uprising led by Guaidó (half a hundred countries are recognized as acting president), the leader of Chavez has repeatedly shown with the army. In these meetings, attended by senior officials, the Head of State insists on having in his favor the "Loyalty" of the uniform.

Thursday, in front of hundreds of soldiers, Maduro said: "The time has come to fightThe time has come to give an example to history and the world and to say that Venezuela has a legal, coherent and united armed force. "