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On January 23, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country in response to the decision of the president of the National Assembly to declare himself acting president, amid mbadive protests against the government.
A few hours after President Donald Trump officially recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate president, a provocative Maduro appeared in front of a crowd of supporters to accuse the United States of backing a coup attempt. 'State. He announced that he was cutting political and diplomatic ties with Washington.
"We can not accept the invading policies of the empire, the United States, Donald Trump," he said to the applause of the crowd. "Venezuela is a country of liberators."
"We will not surrender," added Maduro.
The announcement was made as thousands of Guaido supporters took to the streets as part of a revitalized effort against Maduro.
In a statement, Trump promised to use "the full weight of US economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy."
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, also tweeted his support for Guaido, whose opposition-controlled legislative body had called for the organization of national events against the besieged government of Maduro.
Maduro addressing supporters of the balcony of the Miraflores Presidential Palace later that day, recounting a long history of American intervention in his country's political affairs, saying that only Venezuelans can elect and dismiss their leaders.
"We will not surrender," he said, accusing the United States of having struck a coup in Venezuela.
The president of the country's highest judicial body, Juan Jose Mendoza, has urged the public prosecutor to "act immediately" in the event of a violation of the Constitution.
Sporadic clashes erupted after Guaido's announcement. Reports showed that members of the National Guard fired tear gas canisters at anti-government demonstrators near one of the main highways in the capital.
Guaido, 35, said that day marked the beginning of an unstoppable movement aimed at restoring independence and democracy in the troubled country. "We know this will have consequences," said Guaido.
Calling Maduro a dictator and a tyrant, Guaido called for new elections.
"Raise your right hand today, January 23, 2019, in my state of President of the National Assembly, invoking the Articles of the Constitution – before Almighty God," said Guaido, surrounded by supporters raising their hands to express their solidarity.
"I swear to formally badume the power of the National Executive Board as President of Venezuela."
After the swearing in, Guaido and his followers sang the national anthem.
Anti-Maduro protests began in different parts of the capital. Images showed members of the Venezuelan National Guard goading protesters near the El Paraiso neighborhood. Other marches were held throughout the country. The opposition has called for new elections, accusing the Maduro government of abusing power.
"Young people in my country need freedom," Grace Chacon said during a demonstration in Caracas.
"We must be noisy. We must be the voice of our country to say that we have problems, that we are in an SOS situation. … we fight without firearms. We fight without anything. We just have our hearts. We just have our courage. "
Maduro and his supporters organized a parallel rally outside Miraflores
"We are here to reject any attempt to interfere in our country," said Betulio Reyes, pro-Maduro rally participant. "We are independent and sovereign and can decide the fate of our lives."
Jose Luis Gutierrez de Caracas promised to "defend my country and my president against any foreign insurrection".
The demonstrations took place at a highly symbolic date for Venezuelans. Wednesday marks the 61st anniversary of a civil and military uprising that overthrew the former dictator, General Marcos Perez Jimenez.
Some signs of unrest appeared earlier this week in Caracas. A small team of soldiers, claiming to be members of the armed forces, attempted to rise up against Maduro and unleashed violent street demonstrations.
The protests took place several weeks after the start of his second term in power, as the country was facing a deep economic crisis and dozens of other countries were contesting its legitimacy.
Trump hailed Guaido's recognition as president as senior US administration officials amplified their public statements against Maduro.
Trump recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader as president of the nation
According to Maduro's response to the protests, Trump is willing to take various measures in retaliation, including possible oil sanctions, two sources close to the White House's deliberations said.
US Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday issued a message of support to Venezuelans wishing to join the parades.
"We are with you, we are with you and we will stay with you until democracy is restored and you recover your birthright by libertad (freedom)," Pence said in a video published on Twitter.
Pence said the United States argued that Maduro "is a dictator without a legitimate claim to power" and reiterated the policy of the administration in favor of Guaido.
In response to Pence, Maduro called for a "total and absolute review" of Venezuela's diplomatic relations with the United States and said his government would take "political, diplomatic and defense decisions" to defend the country's democracy.
"Never before has a top-level official spoken on behalf of his government," he said on behalf of the US president, "to say that in Venezuela," he said. Opposition was supposed to overthrow the government, "said Maduro in a TV show message.
Other Venezuelan officials accused Pence of being behind the so-called military uprising this week in Caracas.
Wednesday's protests should be the biggest protest since 2017. Thousands of people clashed for a month with security forces, accusing Maduro of imposing a dictatorship. More than 120 people were killed in incidents related to protests during these disturbances.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly continued its efforts for an amnesty policy for civilians and military officials who would rise up against the Maduro government.
A day earlier, the Supreme Court of Venezuela had declared that the National Assembly was illegitimate and that no law examined by the legislature had any legal value.
Maduro continued Hugo Chavez's social welfare and price control programs, which had guided the country towards socialism before dying in 2013. During a decade of mismanagement, Venezuela has squandered its oil wealth, leaving its economy in tatters and latent America a mbadive exodus of migrants in search of food and medicine.
The United Nations estimates that as many as 3 million Venezuelans have fled since 2014.
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