Russia: ‘Radical opposition’ in Venezuela whipping up conflict

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned Tuesday that a “radical” opposition force in Venezuela was attempting to incite violence against the country’s military and government.

The foreign ministry released a statement Tuesday after Venezuela’s National Assembly leader, Juan Guaidó, appeared to call for a military uprising in the country against its current president, Nicolás Maduro, according to Reuters.

{mosads}“The radical opposition in Venezuela has once again returned to violent methods of confrontation,” the statement read, according to Reuters. “Instead of peacefully settling political differences, they have taken a course designed to whip up conflict, and provoke breaches of public order and clashes involving the armed forces.”

Russia, a close ally of Maduro’s government, has sent around 100 military specialists to the country to prop up the Venezuelan government amid a months-long challenge from an opposition government declared by Guaidó earlier this year.

Guaidó has called for demonstrators to march on a major military base in the country, which he calls the “final phase” in his efforts to oust Maduro from power.

“The people of Venezuela began the end of the usurpation,” Guaidó tweeted Tuesday. “In this moment I find myself with the principal units of our Armed Forces initiating the final phase of Operation Liberty.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo indicated Tuesday morning in a tweet that the Trump administration would support Guaidó’s apparent attempt at a coup.

“Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad,” Pompeo wrote in a tweet. “The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated.”

Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated. #EstamosUnidosVE

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) April 30, 2019

Supporters of Guaidó took to the streets earlier Tuesday in an attempt to overthrow Maduro’s socialist government. 

Guaidó, with the backing of countries including the U.S. and much of Europe, invoked Venezuela’s constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, claiming that Maduro’s election in 2018 was illegitimate.

He has been traveling across Venezuela and outside the country frequently to gin up support for his effort.