Maduro calls on Venezuelans to join chorus for peace

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has called on all Venezuelans to get united against any foreign intervention in their country.

According to Press TV, Maduro made the remark while addressing thousands of his supporters who had gathered in the capital, Caracas, on Tuesday to express support for their elected president amid calls by the opposition and the United States to overthrow his government by force.

“Let the drums of war go away! Let the threats of military intervention go away! And Venezuela! Say in one chorus, with a single voice: we want peace!” Maduro said. “We all want peace for Venezuela.”

As Maduro’s supporters were chanting against war and intervention, his opponents were gathering to show support for opposition figure Juan Guaido, who has declared himself “interim president” of Venezuela and welcomed US threats of potential military intervention in the Latin American country.

The administration of US President Donald Trump was first to recognize Guaido’s self-declaration when it was made last month.

Addressing that crowd, Guido said he was “ordering” the Venezuelan military — which is loyal to Maduro — to allow what is claimed to be humanitarian aid into Venezuela.

“February 23 will be the day for the humanitarian aid to enter Venezuela, so from today we will have to get organized,” he said, adding that he was sending a “direct order” to the army to allow the aid in.

“We’ll keep inviting the soldiers of the country to join us. We’ll keep inviting the humanitarian aid to enter, because it will enter Venezuela no matter what,” he said.

He also called Maduro a “usurper” who has to “leave Venezuela.”

Guaido was apparently referring to the “humanitarian aid” dispatched by the US. Caracas has banned the entry of that aid into the country, saying it is meant to advance plans for a coup designed by Washington.

Venezuela faces an economic crisis, including in the form of shortages of foodstuff and medicine. The government has acknowledged the shortages and has been trying to adequately resupply those items. On Monday, Caracas organized a “medical day” to distribute medicine among the people.

ME