Maduro Says Military Uprising Has Failed

He denounces 'deranged' coup attempt
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 1, 2019 6:14 AM CDT
Maduro Claims Victory Over 'Deranged' Plotters
In this photo released by the Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, center, speaks during a televised national message at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019.   (Miraflores Press Office via AP)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressed the nation Tuesday night to declare victory over what he called a "deranged" attempt at a military coup. Maduro claimed that "loyal and obedient" members of the armed forces had put down the attempted mutiny, leaving only a small group who had "handed their souls over to the coup-mongering far right," the Guardian reports. Maduro scoffed at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's claim that he had been on a plane ready to flee the country for Cuba until Russia told him to stay. "Señor Pompeo, please," he said. At least one person was killed and dozens were wounded in clashes Tuesday after opposition leader Juan Guaido, accompanied by a group of soldiers, called for the military to rise up against Maduro.

Fellow opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez, freed from house arrest, joined calls for a military uprising, but now has fled to the Spanish embassy in Caracas along with his wife and daughter, the AP reports. Earlier reports said he had gone to the Chilean embassy, but the country's foreign minister says he went to Spain's because Chile "already had guests." Maduro said in his address Tuesday night that only 20 or so military personnel sided with the opposition. The Washington Post, however, notes that Gen. Manuel Ricardo Cristopher Figuera, chief of the country's secret police, is now in hiding after apparently defecting to the opposition. Guaido has urged supporters to return to the streets Wednesday, while Maduro has told supporters to join a "millions-strong march of the working class." (President Trump and other administration figures expressed strong support for the military uprising.)

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