Venezuela Crisis: Maduro Congratulates Military for ‘Defeating’ Coup Attempt As Guaido Calls For More Protests

By Staff, Agencies

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro congratulated the military for “defeating” the plotters of a coup after a day of protests called for by opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Maduro called the opposition supporters a "small group that tried to fill the country with violence" and confirmed his government has faced several "modalities" of a coup d'état.

He pinned Tuesday's violence on the US, who he believes masterminded the failed attempt to overthrow his government.

Maduro also announced the appointment of "three special prosecutors" to examine "criminal" actions by the opposition, noting that "we have colonels wounded by bullets and in intensive care."

Some of the protests were peaceful and others led to intense skirmishes, yet fatalities were avoided throughout the day. A few dozen people were injured by rubber bullets, tear gas and – allegedly – live ammunition. An armored vehicle was also recorded ramming into a cluster of Guaido supporters.

At least five soldiers and two colonels were also injured in the clashes after being shot by coup plotters, Maduro noted.

At the onset of the violence, Venezuela’s defense minister warned early in the day that the army would resort to force if necessary.

Guaido called for more protests on Wednesday, as part of what he titled ‘Operation Freedom’. He insisted once again that the opposition is supported by the military.