Coup in Caracas Failed! Will US Send Bombers on Humanitfrian Mission to Venezuela?

Moscow condemns the campaign for the change of power in Venezuela and urges Washington to give up irresponsible plans, especially since the fact that in the course of the telephone conversation with Putin, Trump didn't mention a military scenario.

Moscow condemns the campaign for the change of power in Venezuela and urges Washington to give up irresponsible plans, especially since the fact that in the course of the telephone conversation with Putin, Trump didn't mention a military scenario. Sergey Lavrov stated this it a few hours ago after the negotiations with his Venezuelan counterpart. According to the Russian foreign minister, Russia is ready to reduce differences with the US, on Venezuela as well, but assuming that the norms and principles of international law are respected.

Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia: "When we hear threats to Venezuela from Washington, first and foremost, the threats which, according to the US officials, make all of the options possible, we draw a sad conclusion that the tragedies of Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ukraine didn't become lessons which Washington learned. I strongly believe that using military force against Venezuela will be a humiliation for the entire region, Latin America, and the Caribbean".

 

Because of the venture of the Venezuelan coupists, five people were killed in the unrest last week. Admitting his defeat, the opposition leader Guaido promised to consider the suggestion of military intervention from the US.

Here's Valentin Bogdanov reporting from Caracas.

The failed coup attempt didn't add support to supporters of Guaido. It's becoming harder to gather a crowd. There are almost more journalists than protesters at the rally near Washington's monument in Caracas. They were going to go to the barracks to hand out leaflets to the military calling for recognition of Guaido but there weren't enough desperate people. Ultimately, they took to the roadway and handed them out to the drivers.

The Western press expected clashes again but the reporters' bulletproof vests weren't needed. On Tuesday morning it looked different: surrounded by a handful of people in uniforms, Guaido recorded this video where he reported that the army was now on his side. Later, it turned out that he didn't pose at La Carlota airbase, but at its gate. Clashes began there soon. An armored car running into the crowd, cartridges of a large-caliber machine gun mixed with bananas, beaten noses and foreheads — these shots were broadcast by Western channels for hours.

Guaido had top-notch support of fake news. Outside the country, few people guessed that they're fighting, in fact, on one site, and the city was living a normal life at that time.

A junction near the airbase La Carlota which supporters of Guaido already tried to seize became the point of confrontation again. There are teenagers hiding their faces, motorcyclists driving back and forth holding scraps of pipes which they also use to attack the police. The latter launch water cannons and spray tear gas. Everything is like in a textbook: they expect to have media coverage.

By the evening of May 1st, the coup finally failed. Nicolas Maduro gathered a huge rally near the presidential palace Miraflores. Then he talked to the militaries who proved that they're loyal to him by deed. The Venezuelan president is in a great mood and danced to a rap song dedicated to him.

Guaido's fellow party member of Voluntad Popular ("People's will") Leopoldo Lopez, he's also featured on that video, is now hiding in the residence of the Spanish ambassador with his wife and daughter. Madrid made it clear that it will let the guest stay only if he doesn't abuse their hospitality, that is if he won't hold press conferences there, as he has already tried.

The trappings of power are very important to Juan Guaido. While he's in the hall, there's a rostrum with the Venezuelan national emblem behind a curtain. Legitimate presidents speak on such a rostrum.

Guaido moves freely around Caracas, which, of course, spoils America's game. They'd rather prefer that the Venezuelan authorities arrest the impostor, increasing his popularity.

Here's Guaido meeting with the employees of the oil company PDVSA. A simple recovery plan for the industry is displayed on a big screen. There are three points and two arrows. It isn't that easy to take power, of course, especially since he can't do it himself.

- Do you support military intervention?

Juan Guaido, leader of the opposition: “The best solution for the Venezuelan conflict is the one which will ensure social stability and controllability. Now, we're paying too high a price. The transition to democracy should be peaceful but fast.”

A day later, in his interview for The Washington Post, Guaido still admitted that the National Assembly, which he's still the chairman of, can consider the option of military intervention if Bolton asks. It's a gesture of despair. Even his supporters won't forgive Guaido that.

Ilya Sergio Rodriguez, political analyst: "Any opinion polls confirm that the majority — 85-90% of Venezuelans are strictly against any military intervention. If this happened, it would entail another conflict of a completely different scale".

In general, hawks making plans for Venezuela seem to have to change both the strategy and tactics. They have no other Venezuelans for Guaido. But they're sure to try to find another Guaido.

Valentin Bogdanov and Ivan Utkin for Vesti from Caracas.