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Agencies

The prize is Venezuela’s military – and both sides of the deepening crisis in Caracas are working to win it.
Around Caracas on Sunday, small clandestine groups passed out copies of an amnesty against corruption or abuse for any military member who defects to the new opposition now claiming to lead Venezuela.
Some in uniform tolerated it, maybe even more. Others were shown burning their copies.
Meantime at a military fort east of the capital, the embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, oversaw tanks firing round after round into a dusty valley.
The show of force was not subtle: the military – which some experts say he has essentially bribed to remain loyal to him – is still on his side.
“They want our armed forces to throw a coup,” Maduro told the troops, broadcast on state television. “Well, we’re going to prepare our weapons so no one dares to think of touching our sacred land.“
“Traitors never,” he said.
“Loyal always.”
Whoever ultimately wins over the loyalty of the military will probably also win leadership of the country.
Last week, Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old president of the National Assembly, declared Maduro’s rule and recent re-election illegitimate and declared himself Venezuela’s leader.
With improbable swiftness, that declaration was almost immediately recognised by the US and other nations, many in Latin America, agonised over Venezuela’s plunge from prosperity to poverty and lawlessness under Maduro.
The standoff has plunged troubled Venezuela into a new chapter of political turmoil that has already left more than two dozen dead as thousands took to the streets demanding Maduro step down. Guaido is calling for two new mass mobilisations over the next week.
Guaido told The Washington Post on Sunday that he was in behind-the-scenes talks with “government officials, civilian and military men”.

“This is a very delicate subject involving personal security. We are meeting with them but discreetly.”
Antonio Rivero, a Venezuelan general in exile in Miami, said he has spoken with high, middle and lower military officials who find fault with Maduro but remain fearful of a full break.
“Many soldiers are desperate,” Rivero said.
“The armed forces are broken already.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the UN on Saturday that now “is time for every other nation to pick a side”.
Russia denies sending mercenaries to protect Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro amid power struggle
France and Britain have joined Spain and Germany in turning up the pressure on Maduro, saying they would recognise Guaido as president unless Venezuela calls a new presidential election within eight days.
In an interview with CNN Turk on Sunday, Maduro rejected those demands: “No one can give us an ultimatum … Venezuela is not tied to Europe. This is complete insolence.”

Maduro has received backing from China and Russia it’s two main creditors - Syria and Turkey, as well as longtime allies Cuba and Bolivia.
Maduro, a pariah in many world capitals, has been a frequent guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wary China offers support to embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
With every visit, Maduro walked away with new loans and cash.
In the 10 years ending in 2016, China lent Venezuela about US$62 billion, much of which Caracas could repay with oil.
Moscow in the last several years gave Venezuela US$17 billion in loans and investment, and in December the two governments signed a new deal in which Russia will invest US$6 billion in Venezuela’s oil and gold sectors.
Russia has denounced the United States for attempting to “orchestrate a coup d’etat,” and denied reports that 400 members of a private Russian military group were in Venezuela to protect Maduro.
The Venezuelan leader earlier gave US diplomats until late Saturday to leave the country.
Maduro abandons demand for US diplomats to leave Venezuela
But as the deadline expired, Maduro said he had begun negotiations to set up within 30 days an Interests Section in Caracas to maintain a minimum level of diplomatic contact, similar to the arrangement the US had with Cuba until their 2015 rapprochement.
The Trump administration has maintained that all options remain open if Maduro refuses to cede leadership, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said on Fox News Sunday.
“I don’t think any president of any party who is doing his or her job would be doing the job properly if they took anything off the table,” he said.
“So, I think the president of the United States is looking at this extraordinarily closely.”
Bloomberg, The Washington Post, Tribune News Service


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Venezuela

Venezuela rivals Nicolas Maduro  and Juan Guaido fight for military’s backing in power struggle

Handout picture released by the Venezuelan presidency showing Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C), his wife Cilia Flores (R at centre) and commanders disembarking in an amphibious vehicle during military exercises at the Naval Base Agustin Armario in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on January 27, 2019. - Maduro on Sunday rejected a European ultimatum that he call elections as opposition rival Juan Guaido stepped up appeals to the military to turn against the leftist government. (Photo by HO / Venezuelan Presidency / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VENEZUELAN PRESIDENCY" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks to soldiers during a military exercise in Valencia, Venezuela January 27, 2019. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Juan Guaido, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, speaks during a rally Saturday in Caracas. MUST CREDIT: Carlos Becerra, Bloomberg

The prize is Venezuela’s military – and on Sunday both sides of the deepening crisis in Caracas worked to win it. Photo: Reuters

Venezuelan US defence attaché breaks with Maduro as diplomats leave

Military attaché at the Venezuelan Embassy in the US, Colonel Jose Luis Silva delivers a message in his office in Washington D.C., US, January 26, 2019, in this still image take from a video handout. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends a meeting with youths in Caracas, Venezuela January 26, 2019. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

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Country’s military takes centre stage in global debate over who holds legitimate claim to power


Country’s military takes centre stage in global debate over who holds legitimate claim to power.


Venezuelan crisis

Americas and the Caribbean