Key role of Venezuelan military in crisis takes centre stage
Posted May 4, 2019 9:49 am.
CARACAS, Venezuela — The critical role of the Venezuelan military in the country’s crisis is on display this weekend as President Nicolás Maduro seeks to maintain its support and opposition leader Juan Guaidó tries to woo it to his side.
National television on Saturday showed Maduro wearing a camouflage hat as he met soldiers and watched them train at a military base, while opposition supporters prepared to demonstrate outside bases in a bid to encourage an uprising.
A key figure in the conflict is Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who has supported Maduro.
On Tuesday, Guaidó appeared outside a Caracas military base with a small group of security forces and called in vain on the military to overthrow the socialist leader. Clashes between protesters and police then erupted, leaving five dead.
The Associated Press
