Venezuela: Opposition calls army to turn back on Maduro

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Venezuela's deputy to the National Assembly for Petare on Sunday said the army will see that they have been supporting the "wrong" political regime which has been "usurping" power.

Referring to a major opposition rally slated for Jan. 23, Miguel Pizarro said it will be the day the citizens will show their power, millions of Venezuelans will show they want change, tell the international community that the fight will not end.

"This #23E [Jan. 23 protests] is the day to also tell the FANB [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and the military, to stop supporting this dictatorship and to take the side of the people, to help us achieve this transition that we all want," he added.

On the same day the National Assembly called on the FANB to collaborate to "restore the constitutional order," Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said:

"We are willing to die, as we have sworn, to defend this Constitution.

Lopez stressed that the Venezuelan Armed Forces recognize the new presidency of Nicolas Maduro for the period 2019-2025.

Several demonstrations opposing Maduro's government were held throughout the country on Sunday.

The protesters will gather under the one roof on Wednesday for the transition of the government as well as free, transparent and democratic elections.

Maduro was sworn in for his second term on Jan. 10 after he was reelected president with 67.8 percent of the votes -- a 16.8 percent increase since he was first sworn.