While addressing Venezuelans in America, Donald trump called upon Venezuelan military to ignore Maduro and support Guaidó who is supported by many countries as a leader in Venezuela. Venezuela’s military has so far resisted calls to abandon President Maduro and support his rival.
However, on Thursday former military intelligence Chief Hugo Carvajal recognized the opposition leader as “president in charge”. In a video address posted online he issued a stinging rebuke to Mr Maduro.
“You have killed hundreds of young people in the streets for trying to claim the rights you stole – this without even counting the dead for lack of medicines and security,” he said.
Mr Carvajal, a congressman, called on the military to break with the president and to allow humanitarian aid in.
In another development, Mr Guaidó’s aides in Washington said 11 Venezuelan diplomats based in the US had defected and declared their support for him.