Leopoldo López is free: Is this the end of Maduro?
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In a video published by Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader Leopoldo López is seen accompanied by armed soldiers in Venezuela's main base
"The definitive phase for the cessation of usurpation has begun," with these words, the self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó announced the release of opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was in house arrest and detained since 2014. On his Twitter account, Guaidó reported that Lopez is at liberty thanks to "military to the order of the Constitution."
Venezuela: ha iniciado la fase definitiva para el cese de la usurpación, la Operación Libertad. He sido liberado por militares a la orden de la Constitución y del Presidente Guaidó. Estoy en la Base La Carlota. Todos a movilizarnos. Es hora de conquistar la Libertad. Fuerza y Fe pic.twitter.com/Awm6P09ZM0
— Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) 30 de abril de 2019
In the early hours of the morning, according to a video broadcast by Guaidó and López on their Twitter accounts, it initiated the so-called "Operation Libertad" (Operation Freedom), which supposes the end of the Madurista regime. The president of the Venezuelan Parliament has called on citizens to go to the streets and mobilize to La Carlota military base, where he is surrounded by armed military personnel who support him. This call comes a day before the protests that were expected for tomorrow, May 1st.
Venezuela, lo estamos logrando ¡Fuerza y fe! https://t.co/aJqH7QKlkc
— Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) 30 de abril de 2019
The surprising fact has already awakened responses in different sectors. From the government of Maduro, the Minister of Communication, Jorge Rodríguez, affirmed that a coup d'état is being promoted by traitorous military personnel. Rodriguez also called on citizens to support the government and preserve peace. Additionally, Vladimir Padrino, Minister of Defense, reported the coup d'état and the tranquility that supposedly reigns in the streets. Padrino rejected the coup acts and described them as subversives which aim to create chaos and terror.
Informamos al pueblo de Venezuela que en estos momentos estamos enfrentando y desactivando a un reducido grupo de efectivos militares traidores que se posicionaron en el Distribuidor Altamira para promover un Golpe de Estado contra la Constitución y la paz de la República… 1/2
— Jorge Rodríguez (@jorgerpsuv) 30 de abril de 2019
A este intento se agregó la ultraderecha golpista y asesina, que anunció su agenda violenta desde hace meses.Llamamos al pueblo a mantenerse en alerta máxima para,junto a la gloriosa Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana,derrotar el intento de golpe y preservar La Paz.Venceremos 2/2
— Jorge Rodríguez (@jorgerpsuv) 30 de abril de 2019
Rechazamos este movimiento golpista que pretende llenar de violencia al país. Los seudo líderes políticos que se han colocado al frente de este movimiento subversivo, han empleado tropas y policías con armas de guerra en una vía pública de la la ciudad para crear zozobra y terror
— Vladimir Padrino L. (@vladimirpadrino) 30 de abril de 2019
Read also: Sanctions force Venezuela to import crude for the first time in 5 years
The liberation has also provoked the response of other Latin American leaders, such as the Colombian President Iván Duque. Through his Twitter account, the president made a call to the Venezuelan military and citizens to "locate to the right side of history" and to end the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
Hacemos llamado a militares y al pueblo de #Venezuela para que se ubiquen del lado correcto de la historia, rechazando dictadura y usurpación de Maduro; uniéndose en búsqueda de libertad, democracia y reconstrucción institucional, en cabeza de @AsambleaVE y el Presidente @jguaido
— Iván Duque (@IvanDuque) 30 de abril de 2019
Duke asked Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujilo to convene an emergency meeting of the Lima Group to analyze the current situation of the oil nation.
Siguiendo instrucciones del Presidente @IvanDuque avanzamos en la comunicación con los paises miembros del Grupo de Lima para convocar reunión de emergencia a fin de continuar apoyando con decisión regreso de la democracia y libertad a Venezuela
— Carlos Holmes Trujillo (@CarlosHolmesTru) 30 de abril de 2019
LatinAmerican Post will be reporting on the development of this news. Wait for updates.
LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Peñaloza
Translated from "Leopoldo López está libre: ¿Llega el fin de la pesadilla de Maduro?"
