Venezuelan General Defects Amid Large Anti-Maduro Rallies, Reports Reuters

By Ana Isabel Martinez and Angus Berwick

CARACAS – A senior Venezuelan general has urged the armed forces to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro and to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. This call comes as large crowds gathered nationwide to protest against Maduro, increasing the pressure on him to resign.

The military’s allegiance is critical for Maduro, who is facing widespread unpopularity amid an unprecedented economic crisis that has led millions to flee the country. He claims to be the target of a coup orchestrated by the United States.

The general’s defection occurred as tens of thousands of opposition supporters, many wearing the colors of the Venezuelan flag, attended rallies in solidarity with Guaido and to voice their discontent with Maduro’s government.

The United States and several nations in the Americas have acknowledged Guaido as the legitimate president, contending that Maduro unlawfully secured his second term. Recently imposed sanctions are expected to have a devastating effect on Venezuela’s struggling oil industry.

While there have been small acts of rebellion within the military in recent months, no large-scale uprising has occurred against Maduro’s regime.

“People of Venezuela, 90 percent of the armed forces of Venezuela are not with the dictator; they stand with the people,” General Francisco Yanez of the air force stated in a video that circulated on social media. “Given the recent events, the transition to democracy is imminent.”

In response, the air force leadership condemned Yanez, accusing him of treason. He is the first active general to openly support Guaido since Guaido’s self-proclamation on January 23. Recently, Venezuela’s military attaché to the United States also announced his defection.

Several Latin American nations and Canada have already recognized Guaido, and some European Union countries are expected to follow suit soon, while others may adopt a more cautious approach.

“We are going to send a very clear message in all the municipalities of Venezuela and in every city around the world, demonstrating our strength in a peaceful and organized manner,” Guaido wrote on social media.

Mireanna Fernandez, a 20-year-old student at a protest in Ciudad Guayana, expressed her hope for change following Guaido’s announcement. “I have no quality of life; I can’t walk the streets, my university is in disarray, there are closed classrooms, and a lack of teachers. It’s time for them to go.”

Maduro is scheduled to hold a rally celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hugo Chavez’s first inauguration as president in 1999. He tweeted, “Today marks 20 years of work, struggle, progress, and significant achievements despite hardships and imperial conspiracies. Congratulations to all.”

Supporters of the “Chavismo” movement gathered in Caracas for the government rally. “For us Venezuelans, there is only one president—President Nicolas Maduro,” stated Gregory Carrasquel, 35. “The other is being led by foreign interests for a coup.”

The United States has imposed stringent sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, posing a significant financial threat to Maduro’s government. Venezuela continues to grapple with hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and a mass exodus of citizens to neighboring countries—issues that are likely to worsen due to these new sanctions.

Guaido’s self-inauguration as interim president challenged Maduro’s authority, but he currently lacks control over state institutions and governance.

Maduro’s opponents argue that he has undermined democratic institutions and destroyed the economy through corruption and arbitrary nationalizations.